Nautical Sciences Unit 2 - Oceanography

What is oceanography?

• The scientific study of land formations
• The scientific study of what happens on, in, and under the world's energy-rich oceans
• The scientific study of atmospheric conditions
• The scientific study of human societies

Socially, why does our government maintain an active program of oceanographic research?

• To study space exploration
• The coastal regions of our nation and the world are major population and job centers
• To understand the behavior of insects
• To explore the history of ancient civilizations

Economically, why does our government maintain an active program of oceanographic research?

• To study the effects of deforestation
• The oceans are rich in natural resources, food, and fuel
• To investigate the origins of human language
• To analyze the migration patterns of birds

Politically, why does our government maintain an active program of oceanographic research?

• To understand the cultural evolution of societies
• In order to provide the sea lines of communication between the industrialized and less developed nations of the world
• To explore the mysteries of the universe
• To study the behavior of subatomic particles

Strategically, why does our government maintain an active program of oceanographic research?

• To study the history of art
• The oceans are vital to U.S. nuclear defense, especially the fleet ballistic missile submarine systems and their intercontinental ballistic missiles
• To understand the formation of stars
• To investigate the shipping going into and out of strategic areas, such as the Panama Canal and Strait of Gibraltar.

How much of Earth's surface is covered by seawater?

• 51%
• 61%
• 71%
• 81%

What are the names of the six major plates of the lithosphere?

• North American, South American, European, Asian, Australian, Pacific
• American, African, Eurasian, Indo Australian, Antarctic, and Pacific
• Earth, Wind, Fire, Water, Metal, Wood
• A, B, C, D, E, F plates

Explain the theory of continental drift.

• The movement of ocean currents
• The movement of landmasses
• The evolution of plant species
• The migration patterns of birds

When did the most recent sequence of geologic events leading to the present continental locations begin?

• 100 million years ago
• 200 million years ago
• 300 million years ago
• 400 million years ago

Where is the most famous earthquake belt in the United States?

• Rocky Mountains
• Appalachian Mountains
• Mississippi River
• San Andreas Fault