Oceanography Concepts and Processes

The video covers oceanography, focusing on ocean waves, tides, and currents. It explains the causes of tides, including neep and spring tides, and the role of ocean currents in climate regulation. The impact of melting ice caps on sea levels is discussed, along with the process of upwelling and its effect on marine life. Estuaries are highlighted for their biodiversity, and the importance of algae in oxygen production is noted. The video also addresses ocean resources and the threats posed by pollution and overfishing.

What primarily generates most waves on the ocean surface?

• Earthquakes

• Tsunamis

• Wind

• Tides

What causes the daily rise and fall of water levels known as tides?

• Earth's rotation

• Wind patterns

• Gravitational pull of the sun and moon

• Ocean currents

During a neap tide, how do the high and low tides compare?

• High tides are higher and low tides are lower

• There are no tides

• High tides are lower and low tides are higher

• High tides and low tides are moderate

What alignment causes spring tides?

• Sun and moon at right angles

• Sun and moon in a parallel line

• Sun and moon in a diagonal line

• Sun and moon in opposite directions

What is the primary function of ocean currents?

• To create waves

• To decrease sea levels

• To balance Earth's temperature

• To increase salinity

What happens to sea levels when polar ice caps melt?

• Sea levels rise

• Sea levels decrease

• Sea levels remain the same

• Sea levels fluctuate

What is upwelling and why is it important?

• The rising of nutrient-rich water, important for biological activity

• The mixing of fresh and saltwater, important for salinity balance

• The rising of warm water, important for heating the ocean

• The sinking of cold water, important for cooling the ocean

What is an estuary?

• A deep ocean trench

• A place where fresh and saltwater mix

• A type of ocean current

• A large wave caused by an earthquake

Why are algae important to the Earth's atmosphere?

• They produce carbon dioxide

• They consume oxygen

• They produce oxygen through photosynthesis

• They decrease atmospheric pressure

What are some threats to ocean resources?

• Increased wave activity

• Overfishing and pollution

• Increased salinity

• Decreased temperatures