Term
| What methods are used to measure current speed and direction? |
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Definition
Float meters
Propeller meters
inadvertant float meters
satellite |
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Term
| What drives ocean circulation? |
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Definition
| Differential heating by the sun and the force of gravity |
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Term
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Definition
| Net surface water movement- affected by the coriolis effect |
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Term
| What are the five main ocean gyres? |
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Definition
North Atlantic
North Pacific
South Atlantic
South Pacific
Indian Ocean |
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Term
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Definition
| A closed circular flow around the periphery of an ocean basin |
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Term
| What direction do the main ocean gyres flow? |
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Definition
| North Pacific and North Atlantic flow to the right and South Atlnatic, South Pacific and Indian Ocean to the left because of the coriolis effect. |
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Term
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Definition
| The balance between the wind that builds up the hill and gravity which knocks it down. |
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Term
| What and where is the ICTZ? |
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Definition
| Intertropical convergence zone. It is near the equator 5 degrees north and south. Its a low pressure zone. |
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Term
| Geotrophic flow is the balance between |
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Definition
| wind( builds up hill) and gravity(knocks it down) |
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Term
| What are the equatorial currents? |
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Definition
| Driven by trades and displaced 5 degrees above and below equator |
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Term
| What are equatorial counter currents? |
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Definition
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Term
Western Boundary Currents Eastern Boundary Currents |
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Definition
Western Boundary Currents:
-Warm
-Strong fast and narrow
-brings moisture
Eastern Boundary Currents
- Slow
-cold, shallow, broad, diffuse
-make dry climates |
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Term
| What are transvers and drift currents? |
|
Definition
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Term
| Main features of the Gulf Stream current: |
|
Definition
Surface current that flows like a river
Carries amount of water ~ 100x the discharge of all rivers
Depth of the Gulf stream ~ 450 m
Width ~ 70 km
Separates warm, nutrient-depleted water from cold, nutrient-rich water
Has cold and warm core eddies |
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Term
| Where do upwelling and downwelling occur? |
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Definition
Upwelling: where water currents diverge
or where water is pushed away from a coast
Downwelling: where water currents converge
or where water is pushed toward a coast |
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Term
| Why are upwelling and downwelling important? |
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Definition
Upwelling: brings cold nutrient water to surface- high productivity marine life
Downwelling: movement of surface water down- low productivity |
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Term
|
Definition
| intense low pressure systems that form in the tropics |
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Term
| Hurricanes spin __________ in northern hemisphere |
|
Definition
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Term
| Hurricanes spin _____________ in southern hemisphere |
|
Definition
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Term
| How and where do hurricanes form? |
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Definition
| 90% form between 10 and 20o N or S (mostly North) |
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Term
| Hurricanes get their energy from: |
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Definition
| Ocean heat- latent form of condensation |
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Term
| How are hurricanes steered? |
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Definition
Driven East by trade winds
- Coriolis steers hurricanes to the North (right) in N. Hem.
- Steered by pressure cells |
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Term
| How often do hurricanes happen? |
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Definition
June 1-November 30 hur. season (hurricanes do occur outside of this window)
-peak season is from August – October
-global average: 90 tropical storms/year |
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