Ocean Currents and Their Effects

What event in 1992 helped researchers chart a better understanding of ocean currents?

• A massive whale migration.

• A volcanic eruption under the sea.

• An oil spill in the North Pacific.

• A cargo ship carrying bath toys got caught in a storm.

What are the two main categories of ocean currents?

• Surface currents and deep ocean currents

• Warm currents and cold currents

• Equatorial currents and polar currents

• Tidal currents and wind currents

What primarily drives surface currents in the open ocean?

• Wind

• Water density

• Tides

• Earth's rotation

What is the Coriolis Effect?

• The effect of temperature on water density

• The effect of salinity on water movement

• The effect of tides on ocean currents

• The effect of Earth's rotation on wind and water movement

What is the major force behind surface currents near the shore?

• Water density

• Earth's rotation

• Wind and tides

• Salinity

What is thermohaline circulation?

• Vertical current driven by changes in water density

• Horizontal current driven by wind

• Current caused by the Coriolis Effect

• Current caused by tidal forces

What is the Global Conveyor Belt?

• A winding loop formed by deep water and surface currents

• A surface current in the Atlantic Ocean

• A tidal current near the shore

• A wind-driven current in the Pacific Ocean

How long could it take a drop of water to travel the full length of the Global Conveyor Belt?

• A thousand years

• A hundred years

• A decade

• A year

What is causing the Global Conveyor Belt to seemingly slow down?

• Decreasing salinity

• Rising sea temperatures

• Changes in Earth's rotation

• Increased wind speeds

What is the importance of studying ocean currents?

• To forecast weather systems and prepare accordingly

• To find new shipping routes

• To discover new marine species

• To measure ocean depth