Oceanography

In general the restoring force for most wind generated waves is: A) seismic activity B) wind C) cohesion of water molecules D) gravity

gravity

The doldrums refer to the same region as the: A) trade winds B) subtropics C) jet stream D) intertropical convergence zone

intertropical convergence zone

The key feature that distinguishes a tsunami wave from a typical wind driven water wave is: A) its extreme attenuation B) its huge height C) its short period D) its enormous wavelength

its huge height

A) thermohaline circulation B) density driven circulation C) antarctic bottom water D) kuroshio current E) north atlantic deep water

kuroshio current

What is the baseline from which longitude is measured? A) equator B) tropic of capricorn C) north pole D) prime meridian

prime meridian

A) temperature B) salinity C) thermocline D) pycnocline E) distillation

pycnocline

An area of the ocean where rapid change density occurs with a change in depth is the: A) thermocline B) isocline C) halocline D) pycnocline

pycnocline

The ekman spiral is caused by: A) the pycnocline B) pressure gradients C) the wind and the coriolis effect D) the wind and gravity

the wind and the coriolis effect

A rapid change in ocean temperature with a change in depth occurs in the: A) thermocline B) barocline C) pycnocline D) isocline

thermocline

Waves converge on headlands due to: A) destructive interference B) constructive interference C) wave diffraction D) wave refraction

wave refraction

The ratio of wave height to wavelength is called the: A) period B) wave steepness C) frequency D) wavelength

wave steepness

The largest wind generated waves tend to be associated with the: A) trade winds B) horse latitudes C) polar regions D) westerlies

westerlies

The temperate regions are characterized by: A) westerly winds B) trade winds C) tropical cyclones D) high pressure

westerly winds

The first wave that forms when the wind begins to blow across the ocean surface is a: A) tsunami B) wind waves C) tide D) capillary wave

capillary wave

A deep water wave occurs when the water depth is equal to at least: A) wavelength B) wave height C) 1/20 of the wavelength D) 1/2 of the wavelength

1/2 of the wavelength

The average salinity of typical seawater is: A) 3.5% B) 25% C) 0.35% D) 10% E) 2.0%

3.5%

The average albedo of Earth's surface is about: A) 30% B) 67% C) 3% D) 50% E) 90%

30%

How fast to tsunami waves travel in the open ocean? A) 50 mph B) 450 mph C) 1,000 mph D) 200 mph

450 mph

NET Eckman transport is ___ degrees to the wind direction. A) 180 B) 45 C) 90 D) 135

90

All of the following are true of the movement of Earths atmosphere except: A) a column of cool, dense air produces high pressure at the Earth's surface B) cool air is denser than warm air so it tends to sink toward the earths surface C) the movement of air within the atmospheric convection cells generates the Earth's major wind belts D) warm air is less dense than cool air so it tends to sink toward the Earth's surface

cool air is less dense than cool air so it tends to sink toward the Earth's surface

The apparent deflection of air masses to the right or left (depending on latitude) as they move from one latitude to another is called the: A) hadley cell B) cyclonic cell C) ekman spiral D) coriolis effect

coriolis effect

As you dive deeper in the ocean, brightly colored fish will look increasingly ____ and ____. A) blue, red B) dark, green C) dark, blue D) gray, green

dark, blue

Geostrophic circulation within a gyre driven by: A) density and the wind B) salinity and gravity C) temperature and pressure D) the wind and pressure

salinity and gravity

Western intensification causes: A) very swift western boundary currents B) equatorial countercurrents C) a steeper slope of surface water in the western section of the gyre as compare to the eastern section of the gyre D) the center of the gyre to be shifted to the west E) all of the above statements are the result of a westward intensification

all of the above statements are the result of a westward intensification

Compared to an eastern boundary current in a gyre, which of the following statements is true for a western boundary current? A) warmer water B) increased current velocity C) deeper current D) narrower current E) all of the above statements are true of western boundary currents

all of the above statements are true of western boundary currents

The arrangement of water masses in the southern atlantic ocean from the surface to the bottom is: A) antarctic intermediate water, north atlantic deep water, antarctic bottom water B) north atlantic deep water, antarctic intermediate water, antrtcic bottom water C) north atlantic deep water, antarctic bottom water, antarctic intermediate water

antarctic intermediate water, north atlantic deep water, antarctic bottom water

An internal wave might form: A) only as a result of tidal activity B) at a density boundary within the ocean C) at the boundary between the atmosphere and the ocean D) close to shore as it moves into shallow water

at a density boundary within the ocean

Winds blowing out of the north toward the south in the southern hemisphere will appear to: A) be deflected toward the east B) travel in a straight line C) circulate clockwise D) be deflected toward the west

be deflected toward the east

Compared to western boundary currents, eastern boundary currents are: A) deep and swift B) brad and deep C) broad and slow D) narrow and deep

broad and slow

What two factors cause air masses moving WEST in the southern hemisphere to be deflected? A) Centripetal acceleration and adiabatic compression B) coriolis effect and gravity C) coriolid effect and inertia D) inertia and gravity

coriolis effect and gravity

Deep ocean currents are driven primarily by ___ and modified by ____. A) latitude; differences in salinity and land B) density differences; differences in salinity and temperature C) wind; the coriolis effect and land D) density differences; the coriolis effect and land

density differences; differences in salinity and temperature

Idealized pressure belts and wind systems are significantly modified by earths tilted axis of rotation and: A) differences in the heat capacities of the ocean and land B) variations in incoming solar radiation over many years C) differences in the latitudinal albedo D) ekman transport

differences in the heat capacities of the ocean and land

The worldwide effects of el nino include all of the following except: A) drought in the US gulf coastal states B) coral reef deaths in the pacific C) increased pacific cyclone activity D) crop failure in the philippines

drought in the us gulf coastal states

In the figure below, upwelling is caused by: A) difference in hydrostatic pressure B) eckman transport C) gravity D) density differences

eckman transport

Which of the following statements is FALSE about Eckman transport? A) the coriolis effect is the reason for Eckman transport B) eckman transport affects water up to 250 meters beneath the surface C) eckman transport cause some water to travel in the opposite direction as the wind D) the net eckman transport direction is 90 degrees to the wind

eckman transport cause some water to travel in the opposite direction as the wind

At which location is the coriolis effect zero?

equator

What is the baseline from which latitude is measured? A) tropic of capricorn B) prime meridian C) north pole D) equator

equator

All of the following processes decrease seawater salinity except: A) sea ice melting B) iceberg melting C) river runoff D) evaporation

evaporation

All of the following processes decrease the salinity of water except: A) evaporation B) icebergs melting C) runoff D) sea ice melting

evaporation

The height of a wave depends upon: A) fetch, wind duration, and wind speed B) wind duration and wind speed C) fetch and wind speed D) fetch

fetch, wind duration, and wind speed

Which type of current flow moves in a circular path around a subtropical convergence, reflecting ekman transport, gravity, and the coriolis effect? A) langmuir circulation B) geostrophic circulation C) density driven circulation D) thermohaline circulation

geostrophic circulation

Deep water circulation brings dense, cold, oxygen rich water from the surface to the deep ocean because of: A) greater dissolution of oxygen in colder water than warmer water B) decreases in pH with depth C) greater rates of photosynthesis in deep water D) increases in pH with depth

greater dissolution of oxygen in colder water than warmer water

When ice forms from seawater, the remaining seawater will have a: A) lower temperature B) higher salinity C) decreased density D) darker color

higher salinity

Which of the following is not a force that moves ocean currents? A) friction B) density C) hydrostatic pressure D) gravity

hydrostatic pressure

As a wave begins to feel bottom near a shoreline, its wave height: A) decreases and its wavelength increases B) increases and its wavelength remains the same C) increases and its wavelength decreases D) decreases and its steepness decreases

increases and its wavelength decreases

The largest tsunami wave ever recorded in historical times was caused by a _____. A) asteroid landing in the gulf of mexico B) landslide in alaska C) earthquake in chile D) volcanic eruption in indonesia

landslide in alaska

A) crest B) height C) length D) period E) trough

length

compared to antarctic bottom water, north atlantic deep water is: A) denser B) lower in oxygen C) higher in salinity D) higher in nutrients

lower in oxygen

The two most abundant components of dry air are: A) oxygen & water vapor B) carbon dioxide & water vapor C) oxygen & carbon dioxide D) nitrogen & oxygen

nitrogen & oxygen

Under what conditions is the coriolis effect exactly zero? A) objects moving north near the poles B) objects moving east away from the equator C) objects moving slower than the rotation of the earth D) objects moving west at the equator

objects moving west at the equator

The time between two successive waves is called the: A) frequency B) crest C) height D) period

period

A) boiling point B) precipitation C) freezing point D) heat capacity E) surface tension

precipitation

What does NOT happen at the inter tropical convergence zone? A) precipitation is common B) air masses rise C) surface salinity is high D) hurricanes are sometimes spawned

precipitation is common

The El Nino southern oscillation can best be described as: A) relative changes between two different atmospheric pressure systems at high altitude B) wind speed and wind direction differences C) tidal differences between coastal peru and darwin D) variation in wind speed over the pacific

relative changes between two different atmospheric pressure systems at high altitude

Which of the following, from earliest to latest, represents the typical wave formation? A) swell, sea, surf B) surf, sea, swell C) sea, surf swell D) sea, swell, surf

sea, swell, surf

A tsunami may result from: A) shallow water wave B) reflected wave C) refracted wave D) capillary wave

shallow water wave

As a diver goes deeper into the ocean the pressure increases. This means that water will ___. A) theres not enough info to answer B) sink, because water always moves downhill C) sink, because deep water is denser than shallow water D) rise, since water always moves from high pressure to low

sink, because deep water is denser than shallow water

Compated to western boundary currents, eastern boundary currents are: A) faster and wider B) slower and wider C) deeper and slower D) shallower and faster

slower and wider

Constructive interferences results in larger waves whereas destructive interference produces: A) rouge waves B) tsunamis C) swells D) smaller waves

smaller waves

A) doldrums B) northeast trade winds C) polar easterlies D) southeast trade winds E) westerlies

southeast trade winds

Sources of deep water in the ocean include all of the following except: A) northern sub polar latitudes B) arctic convergence C) subtropical convergences D) southern sub polar latitudes

subtropical convergences

Which of the following statements is true of surface ocean currents? A) surface currents occur within and below the pycnocline B) surface currents transport cold water toward the poles C) surface currents transport warm water toward the equator D) surface currents form circular patterns in the major ocean basins called gyres

surface currents form circular patterns in the major ocean basins called gyres

Waves that are moving faster than local wind and are sorted out by wavelength are called: A) swell B) wind waves C) surf D) constructive waves

swell

The two factors that are most important in determining the density of air are: A) carbon dioxide and water vapor content B) nitrogen and water vapor content C) temperature and salinity D) temperature and water vapor content

temperature and water vapor content

All are true of the antartcic circumpolar current except: A) the antarctic circumpolar current contributes to the development of antarctic bottom water in the weddell sea

the antarctic circumpolar current contributes to the development of antarctic bottom water in the weddell sea

The fetch refers to: A) a method of shoreline erosion control B) the distance over which the wind blows without interruption C) the distance between the trough of a wave and the still water level D) a type of wave cut platform

the distance over which the wind blows without interruption

The Principle of Constant Proportions states that: A) ocean salinity varies as a function of season B) the percentage of sodium varies with ocean depth C) the relative concentrations of the major ions in seawater does not change D) ocean salinity varies with geographical location

the relative concentrations of the major ions in seawater does not change

In the southern hemisphere, the direction of ekman transport is always: A) to the right of the wind direction B) perpendicular to the wind direction C) to the left of the wind direction D) at a 45 degree angle from the wind direction

to the left of the wind direction

As a result of the coriolis effect in the northern hemisphere, winds always are deflected: A) to the left of their original direction B) at a 45 angle from their original direction C) to the right of their original direction D) to the east of their original direction

to the right of their original direction

Equatorial currents are driven by the: A) westerlies B) density C) ekman transport D) trade winds E) coriolis force

trade winds

The wind belt with strong, reliable, generally easterly winds is the: A) horse latitudes B) doldrums C) westerlies D) trade winds

trade winds

Water waves are: A) capillary waves B) longitudinal waves C) orbital waves D) transverse waves

transverse waves

The lowermost portion of the atmosphere where most weather occurs is called the: A) stratosphere B) tropopause C) ozone layer D) upper atmosphere E) troposphere

troposphere

What layer of the atmosphere do we live in? A) ionosphere B) troposphere C) stratosphere D) ozonosphere

troposphere

Which of the following is true of surface water circulation near Antartica? A) two circumpolar currents dominate it, one current moves water to the eat and one current moves water to the west B) the circulation of water around the antarctic continent is driven by density differences C) the surface ocean has no strong currents D) a gyre is formed here

two circumpolar currents dominate it, one current moves water to the eat and one current moves water to the west

The inter tropical convergence zone occurs where which two atmospheric circulation cells meet? A) two hadley cells B) air masses rise C) surface salinity is high D) hurricanes are sometimes spawned

two hadley cells

Surface waters are pushed away from land and replaced by nutrient rich bottom water through: A) land breezes B) downwelling C) upwelling D) sea breezes

upwelling

The speed of a shallow water wave is proportional to: A) wave frequency B) wave period C) water depth D) wave height

water depth

A wave will begin to break when: A) water depth=wavelength/20 B) distance from shore<wavelength C) steepness=1:7 D) water depth = wave height

water depth=wavelength/20

The diameter of a wave orbital at the surface is equal to: A) wave period B) wavelength C) wave height/wavelength D) wave height

wave height

The circular motion of water molecules extends to a depth that is equal to: A) wavelength/wave height B) wavelength/20 C) wavelength/2 D) wave height/wave period

wavelength/2

Strong upwelling occurs in all of the following except: A) where deep ocean water currents are formed B) where water is constantly pushed away from a coastline C) between the north and south equatorial currents D) in the area surrounding the galapagos islands

where deep ocean water currents are formed

Rogue waves tend to occur: A) in upwelling zones B) in coastal areas with weak sea breezes C) where storm waves move against strong surface currents D) in areas where wind belts converge

where storm waves move against strong surface currents

Thermohaline circulation is driven by: A) wind B) longitude C) latitude D) density differences

wind

Surface ocean currents are driven primarily by ___ and modified by ____. A) wind; gravity and density B) density differences; differences in salinity and temperature C) latitude; differences in salinity and land D) wind; the coriolis effect and land

wind; the coriolis effect and land

Most ocean waves form as a result of: A) landslides B) seismic events C) density differences between water layers D) winds blowing across the ocean surface

winds blowing across the ocean surface