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WorksheetsOcean Currents Review
Total questions: 35
Worksheet time: 35mins
Surface Ocean currents are primarily caused by
temperature and salinity
Global Wind Patterns
convection
continental drift
Deep Ocean currents are primarily caused by
temperature and salinity
wind
gravity
precipitation
which of these characteristics will produce the most dense water?
high salinity, high temperature
high salinity, low temperature
low salinity, high temperature
low salinity, low temperature
Differences in water temperature create movement in the Ocean because
bodies of water at different temperature have different densities.
warm water is pulled more by the force of gravity then cold water is.
warm and cold water mix until they reach the same temperature.
The ocean just likes to "move-it move-it".
What affects the density of water?
Salt
Temperature
The seasons of the year
Both A and B
Why is upwelling important?
Upwelling regulates ocean temperature
Upwelling provides nutrient rich water that sustains life
Upwelling controls the tides
Upwelling helps sailors to navigate the seas
What are a circular system of currents in the Earth's major oceans?
ocean current
gyre
upwelling
conveyor belt
The Gulf Stream carries warm water to the North Atlantic Ocean, which contributes to
a mild climate for the British Isles.
a harsh winter in the British Isles.
a cold-water surface current that flows to the British Isles.
a warm-water surface current that flows along the coast of California.
As plants and animals in the ocean die, the nutrients produced from their decay _____.
are recycled by the Global Conveyor Belt
sink to the bottom
are destroyed by sunlight
become coral reefs
What is the driving force of the deep water ocean conveyor belt?
Winds push the deep water into the Pacific and Indian oceans.
Gravity from the moon pulls the water towards the equator.
The spinning of Earth makes the deep water current run in circular paths.
Very cold temperatures at the poles create very cold, salty water that pushes the deep water current.
The more scientific name of the Global Conveyor Belt is _____.
halinethermal circulation
thermohaline circulation
thermodensity circulation
Thermohaline circulation distributes which of the following?
heat
nutrients
carbon dioxide
all of the above
Where is ocean water the most dense?
Why is it warmer in Charleston than it is in San Diego even though they are the same distance from the Equator?
San Diego is affected by the Gulf Stream- a warm water current
Charleston is affected by the California current- a cold water current
Charleston is affected by the Gulf Stream- a warm water curret
San Diego is affected by the California Current- a warm water current
What source of energy powers Earth's winds and ocean currents?
Gravitational Pull
The Moon
The Sun
Earth's Revolution
Why does the water around Antarctica a high salinity?
What is the main reason why the oceanic conveyor belt is important for global climate?
It causes more storms to form
It increases the amount of salt in the ocean
It makes the ocean water less dense
It helps regulate temperatures by moving heat around the planet
Which factor would most likely slow down the thermohaline circulation?
More volcanic eruptions on the ocean floor
Higher wind speeds at the equator
Increased melting of polar ice, adding fresh water to the ocean
Increased evaporation in tropical regions
Which process is responsible for bringing cold, nutrient-rich water to the ocean surface (usually near coastlines)?
Downwelling
Precipitation
Evaporation
Upwelling
Which ocean current is known for transporting warm water from the tropics to northern Europe?
Peru Current
Canary Current
California Current
Gulf Stream
What is primary benefit of upwelling on marine life?
It provides nutrients that support the food web and large populations of organisms
It increases dissolved oxygen in the water by moving phytoplankton
It keeps water temperatures mostly constant
Marine life use upwelling as a way to help them move from place to place or migrate
What is the best description of the affects of temperature and salinity on water density?
Cold water with higher salinity will be more dense and will rise
Cold water with higher salinity will be less dense and rise
Warm water with lower salinity will be less dense and rise
Warm water with lower salinity will be more dense and sink
