Oceanography Final Exam
Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
Saturn
Which type of current has the greatest effect on the climate in New Jersey?
Western Boundary current
Characteristics of active continental margins include all of the following except:
broad continental shelves.
Consider the concept of latent heat: A beaker contains a mixture of ice and pure liquid water at 0°C. What happens to the temperature of the liquid water as heat is added?
It remains constant until the ice melts, and then it begins to rise.
Ekman transport is impacted/influenced by:
the wind and the Coriolis effect.
Plate tectonics, evolution, relativity, and heliocentrism (the sun being the center of our solar system) are held with a high degree of confidence because of rigorous testing and verification. They are examples of:
theories.
Which property of water causes coastal communities to have only moderate differences in daily highs and lows compared to inland communities?
high heat capacity
Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
oceanic trench
An area of the ocean where rapid change in ocean density occurs with a change in depth is the:
pycnocline.
Passive continental margins are characterized by all of the following except:
shallow coastal waters
The Sun and the rest of the solar system formed about 5 billion years ago from a huge cloud of dust and gas called a:
solar nebula
A tentative, testable statement about the general nature of a phenomenon is called a/an:
hypothesis.
Earth's primordial prebiotic atmosphere (i.e. existing at the very beginning) most likely included:
carbon dioxide, water vapor, sulfur dioxide, and methane.
The property of water that accounts for the ability of liquid water to absorb heat and change only very little in temperature is called:
high heat capacity.
Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
oxygen
What is thought to be responsible for the accumulation of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere?
removal of iron from the ocean into banded iron formations AND oxygenic photosynthesis
Are the volcanic islands of Hawaii and Japan formed from similar or different processes? Explain.
They are different because Hawaii has hot spots and the volcanic islands of japan did not form from hot spots.
There are many trenches that are found around the rim of the Pacific Ocean basin. Why are the deepest trenches found in the area near the Mariana Trench/Challenger Deep?
This is the location where the oldest and most dense oceanic plates converge.
CONCEPTUAL RELATIONSHIPS- Examine the words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
Warming of the ocean by the sun
How does air move in relation to pressure?
Air moves from high to low pressure
A system of four currents completing a flow circuit around the periphery of an ocean basin is collectively called:
a gyre
Air warmed by the land that rises and is replaced by air from the ocean may produce a:
sea breeze.
Volcanic peaks on the deep-ocean floor with conical tops are called:
seamounts.
The two factors that are most important in determining the density of air are:
temperature and water vapor content.
The average depth of the world's oceans is approximately:
4,000 meters
CONCEPTUAL RELATIONSHIPS- Examine the words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
Curvature of Earth
CONCEPTUAL RELATIONSHIPS- Examine the words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
Westerlies
How are Eastern and Western Boundary Currents different?
Western Boundary Currents are fast, deep, and narrow whereas Eastern Boundary Currents are slow, shallow, and broad
Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
Mediterranean
CONCEPTUAL RELATIONSHIPS- Examine the words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
Middle of South Pacific Subtropical Gyre
CONCEPTUAL RELATIONSHIPS- Examine the words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
Nitrate
Which terrigenous particle type is transported furthest out to sea?
clay
The air with the lowest density will have:
lowest temperature and lowest humidity.
Deep ocean currents are driven primarily by ________ and modified by ________.
density differences; differences in salinity and temperature
As the salinity of seawater increases, its:
density increases
Which of the following contains silica (SiO2)?
diatoms
The separation of the Earth into layers while it was molten was the result of the:
differing densities of the elements that make up the Earth.
The strength of a hurricane stems from this inherent property of water:
latent heat.
Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
asthenosphere
High-energy, turbulent environments are most likely to deposit which one of the following?
sand-sized particles
An example of a Western Boundary Current is _______ and an example of an Eastern Boundary Current is
the Gulf Stream....the California Current
CONCEPTUAL RELATIONSHIPS- Examine the words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
Fecal pellets
A very important way to increase the settling rate of phytoplankton hard parts in the open ocean is via
Incorporation into marine snow or fecal pellets.
Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
belief
Tectonic plates are pieces of the ________ that float on the more fluid ________ below.
lithosphere; asthenosphere
The driving forces for plate tectonics include all but the following:
movement from hot spot plumes
CONCEPTUAL RELATIONSHIPS- Examine the words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
pH
Upwelling favorable winds off the coast of New Jersey need to blow from:
the south.
The term "salinity" refers to:
the total amount of dissolved solids in the ocean.
Refer to the above figure and use the numbers that correspond to global wind belts and latitudes for this question. The westerlies wind belt is the area corresponding to number:
2
Refer to the above figure and use the numbers that correspond to global wind belts and latitudes for this question. The area of the globe (latitude) that is characterized by falling air masses and little precipitation is labeled number:
6
Winds blowing from the north toward the south in the southern hemisphere will appear to:
be deflected toward the east.
Because of the sinking air at 30 degrees North Latitude and 30 degrees South Latitude, we would expect to find:
deserts and higher salinity oceans.
Submarine canyons (like the Monterey Canyon) were most likely formed by:
erosion by turbidity currents.
Hot air ___________, while cool air_________.
expand and rises ... contracts and sinks
During winter months, monsoon winds over the Indian Ocean:
flow from land to sea and are dry.
Manganese nodules are an example of:
hydrogenous sediments
Underwater avalanches of muddy water mixed with rocks and debris are:
turbidity currents.
At which location do we find the most earthquakes and volcanoes?
Convergent plate boundaries
CONCEPTUAL RELATIONSHIPS- Examine the words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
Evaporation
Radioactive materials are often used to determine the:
ages of rocks.
Plate tectonics is one of the top scientific discoveries in the past century because it revealed a novel mechanism for how Earth works. Based on material presented and discussed in class, provide three independent lines of evidence (there are many!!!) that helped confirm the Theory of Continental Drift and Plate Tectonics. Be sure to explain how each supported it.
1. The continents today fit like a jigsaw puzzle. Meaning that if the pieces were put back together the continents would fit almost perfectly. Showing evidence that they were once together. 2. Matching sequences of rocks and mountain chains. Although these rocks and mountains may be in different environments or continents, they would be matching if the rocks formed together in Pangea. 3. Glacial ages and other climate evidence. Wegener noticed that in regions that are now tropical, he found evidence of past ice ages and he suggested that this provided evidence of a drifting continent. Evidence of glaciation is found in India, South America, Africa, and Australia at the same time in the past.
What is a 'proxy'? How is it used in science? Give an example of a proxy that was discussed in class. There are many to choose from!
A proxy is something that can represent something else. For example, a fossil is a proxy because it represents things that had existed before like dinosaurs and other living things. It is used in science by using something else to measure a bigger outcome.
CONCEPTUAL RELATIONSHIPS- Examine the words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
White Cliffs of Dover
CONCEPTUAL RELATIONSHIPS- Examine the words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
Wind friction/atmospheric movement
At the present time, oceanographic research is primarily the province of _____, and funded by____:
academic institutions or governmental agencies, publicly funded.
Earth's oldest rocks are found:
at the core of continents.
Refer to the above figure and use the numbers that correspond to global wind belts and latitudes for this question. Persistent upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water happens at what location?:
2
Oceanic crust is primarily:
basalt
Which of the following is a characteristic of oceanic-oceanic convergent plate boundaries?
volcanic island arcs
What determines the temperature of the deep ocean and why it doesn't vary much?
water cools as it sinks since it is not exposed to sunlight.
Current scientific knowledge indicates that the most likely origin of most of Earth's oceans was due to:
water vapor released from volcanic outgassing.
Strong upwelling occurs in all of the following except:
where deep ocean water currents are formed.
Which of the following type of organisms do not generate biogenic sediments?
zooxanthellae
The 'Global Conveyor Belt' circulates water through the global ocean via thermohaline circulation. In this way, the ocean remains essentially mixed and homogenized. Using radioactive tracers, among other methods, oceanographers have deduced that the 'mixing time' of the ocean is:
1600 years.
CONCEPTUAL RELATIONSHIPS- Examine the words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
60° N latitude
Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
ammonia
Which of the following does not refer to the calcite compensation depth (CCD) :
A region below which pelagic clays accumulate.
Satellites are used to map the ocean floor because:
All of the other answers are correct: the shape of the ocean surface itself reflects large features on the seafloor below. they are unaffected by surface weather. they can cover areas where ships have not produced surveys. they can "see" large areas of the seafloor at one time.
Modern molecular biology and DNA sequencing techniques have revealed that all of the following are domains of life, except for:
Animals
Why is oceanic crust so much younger than continental crust? Where do you find the youngest oceanic crust? The oldest oceanic crust?...how old is it?
Because of subduction oceanic crust is much younger than continental crust. You find the youngest oceanic crust at mid-ocean ridges and the oldest are farthest from the mid-ocean ridges.
What are biogenic sediments? (2 pts) What are their characteristics and compositions? (4 points) Give examples of the different types (4 pts). Where do you find each type in relation to mid-ocean ridges?...be sure to explain your answer (2 pts)
Biogenic sediments are sediments that are usually biologically derived or from organisms. Organisms with shells, bones, teeth, etc.
CONCEPTUAL RELATIONSHIPS- Examine the words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
Black smokers at hydrothermal vents
As you know, Earth is layered inside. The layers have different thicknesses and densities. How do geologists know this?
From observing the transit times through the Earth of seismic waves generated by large earthquakes.
What types of organizations are the biggest funders of oceanographic research?
Government agencies (NOAA, NSF, NASA, EPA, etc)
Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
Japan
Describe the differences between passive and active continental margins. How do they relate to plate tectonics? What type of continental margin characterizes New Jersey?
Passive margins are embedded within lithospheric plates and usually do not have major tectonic activity. A good example of this is the East coast of the United States and many continental slopes and shelves. On the other hand, active margins are associated with lithospheric plate boundaries and exhibit a great deal of tectonic activity. There are two types of active margins: convergent and transform (recall these from last lecture). Convergent active margins are associated convergent continental plate regions. Transform active margins are associated with the transform fault regions. An example of a convergent margin is western South America where the Nazca Plate is being subducted beneath the South American Plate. An example of a transform margin is coastal California, which runs along the San Andreas fault (see the figure showing a map of the plate boundaries in the previous lecture). The image below shows a diagram of a passive continental margin on the left, and an active continental margin on the right.
Oceanic crust is created at _______ and destroyed at ___________.
Spreading centers; subduction zones
Ocean and atmospheric circulation work to redistribute heat across the globe. Briefly describe how the surface and deep ocean circulate....What type of water is circulated by each and how does it relate to the vertical profile of density? (4 pts) What forces drive them? (2 pts) How are these major circulation types organized across the oceans? (2 pts) and what are some of the associated properties? (2 pts) What would the climate on Earth be like without circulating ocean? (2 points)
Surface currents mostly occur in water above the pycnocline and involve largely (but not exclusively) horizontal water movement. Deep currents are driven by density differences, are influenced by gravity and occur in water below the pycnocline (which is most of the water in the ocean) and involves horizontal and vertical water movement. Surface currents are driven by the wind whereas deep currents are driven by gravity. These currents help to move thermal energy around the world, and play a huge role in weather patterns and climate. Without them the energy would probably no spread.
Why is the inside of the Earth still hot? What is the source of its heat?
The decay of large radioactive elements is creating heat in the Earth's inner layers
What are the sources of the salt/ions in seawater? (4 pts). Does the ocean get saltier with time?...Why or why not? (4 pts). What process(es) determine the 'residence time' of different ions in seawater? (2 pts) Please give an example of an ion with a long residence time and one with a short residence time (2 pts)...are they conservative or non-conservative?
The sources of salt/ions in seawater are runoff from the land and openings from the ocean floor. Yes, the ocean gets saltier over time because as time passes there is more runoff which does add more salt to the ocean and all of that gets mixed over time. An example of an ion with a long residence time is Sodium which has a residence time of 260 million years and one with a short residence time is aluminum which residence time of 100 years. They are both non conservative.
Plate tectonics is the cause of all the major features of the seafloor. (15 pts total) (a) Match each letter (A-K) to the following features: mid-ocean ridge, subduction zone, active continental margin, passive continental margin, trench, island arc, transform fault, lithosphere, and asthenosphere. Note: some features are associated with multiple letters. (1 pt for each letter) (b) Next, identify the plate boundaries. Which letters are associated with: divergent plate boundaries, convergent plate boundaries, and transform plate boundaries? Be sure to list all letters that apply. What direction are the plates moving at these boundaries? (6 pts total, 1 pt each)
a) A - active continental margin B - Mid-ocean ridge C - passive continental margin D - island arc E -
The table below shows the temperature and salinity of four water samples. (12 points total) a) Use the TSD plot below to find the density for each of the water samples. b) Which water sample would be the shallowest? (2 pt) c) Which water sample would be the deepest out of the five? (2 pts) d) What processes can cause a change in salinity in the surface open ocean (not near rivers!). How would each affect the density, assuming the temperature does not change?
a) a 1.029 b 1.025 c 1.028 d 1.025 b) b and d c) a d) Precipitation can cause a change in salinity.
Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
ice age
The seafloor magnetic pattern is best described as:
parallel to and symmetric about mid-ocean ridges.
Fossils of ancient polar plants are currently found near the equator because the:
plants lived near the poles, but landmasses have drifted to current locations.
Examine the five words and/or phrases and determine the relationship among the majority of words/phrases. Choose the one option that does not fit the pattern
rift valley
