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Oceanography
Oceanography
25
Science
6th Grade
02/22/2013

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Term
continental margin
Definition
the underwater edges of continents
Term
coriolis effect
Definition
the shifting of winds and surface currents from their expected paths because of Earth's rotation
Term
wave
Definition
rhythmic movement that carries energy through matter or space
Term
mid-ocean ridge
Definition
a part of an ocean basin area where new ocean floor is formed; underwater mountain range
Term
crest
Definition
highest point of a wave
Term
barrier island
Definition
a long, narrow strip of land running parallel to the shore
Term
salinity
Definition
a measure of the amount of salts dissolved in seawater
Term
wavelength
Definition
the distance between the crests of between the troughs of two adjoining waves
Term
continental slope
Definition
ocean basin feature that dips steeple down from the continental shelf
Term
abyssal plain
Definition
flat seafloor area from 4,000 m to 6,000 m below the ocean surface, formed by the deposits of sediments
Term
seamount
Definition
underwater, inactive volcano peaks
Term
deep ocean currents
Definition
a current that forms in the ocean because a mass of seawater becomes more dense than the surrounding water and sinks
Term
deep-ocean trenches
Definition
a long, narrow, steep-sided depression where on plate sinks beneath another
Term
tsunami
Definition
a very large ocean wave caused by an underwater earthquake or volcanic eruption
Term
gyres
Definition
a large system of rotating ocean currents, particularly those involved with large wind movements
Term
continental shelf
Definition
gradually sloping end of a continent that extends under the ocean
Term
tide
Definition
rise and fall in sea level
Term
longshore drift
Definition
the movement of material along a coast by waves which approach at an angle to the shore but recede directly away from it
Term
sonar
Definition
a method or device for detecting and locating objects especially underwater by means of sound waves sent out to be reflected by the objects
Term
amplitude
Definition
half a wave's height
Term
trough
Definition
lowest part of a wave
Term
surface ocean currents
Definition
current that moves water horizontally, or parallel to Earth's suface
Term
rip current
Definition
a strong, narrow surface current that flows rapidly away from the shore
Term
period
Definition
the time it takes for two successive wave crests to pass a given point
Term
continental rise
Definition
a wide, gentle incline from an ocean bottom to a continental slope
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