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Chapter 21
Earth Science
22
Science
9th Grade
01/10/2008

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Term
Current
Definition
horizontal movement of water in a well-defined pattern
Term
Surface current
Definition
a horizontal movement of ocean water that's caused by wind & that occurs at or near the ocean's surface
Term
Coriolis effect
Definition
apparent curving of the path of a moving object from an otherwish straight path due to earth's rotation
Term
Gyre
Definition
huge circle of moving ocean water found above & below the equator
Term
Gulf Stream
Definition
swift, deep, warm Atlantic current that flows along the eastern coast of the US toward the north
Term
deep current
Definition
a streamlike movement of ocean water far below the surface
Term
wave
Definition
a periodic disturbance in a solid,liquid, or gas as energy is transmitted through a meduim
Term
wave period
Definition
time required for 2 consecutive wave crest to pass a given point
Term
fetch
Definition
distance that wind blows across an area of the sea to generate waves
Term
refraction
Definition
process by which ocean waves bend toward the coastline as they approach shallow water
Term
tide
Definition
periodic rise & fall of the water level in the ocean & other large bodies of water
Term
tidal oscillation
Definition
slow, rocking motion of ocean water that occurs as the tidal bulges move around the ocean basins
Term
tidal current
Definition
movement of water toward & away from the coast as a result of the rise & fall of the tides
Term
world currents
Definition
-kuroshio (japan current)
-cali
-austrilian counter current
-antarctic circumpolar
-gulf stream
-canary
-brazil
-benguel
Term
which way does the northern ocean move?
Definition
clockwise
Term
which way does the souther ocean move?
Definition
counter clockwise
Term
period
Definition
how long it takes for a full wavelength to pass by a point
Term
spring tide
Definition
high low at full and new moons
Term
neap tide
Definition
tides are moderated by 1st quarter and 3rd quarter moons
Term
What are global currents affected by?
Definition
-global wind belts
-the continents
-the coriolis effect
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