Chapter 7 Oceanography

Indian Ocean currents that are generated by seasonal changes in weather patterns are the __________ and __________ Currents.

Somali/Southwest Monsoon

Downwelling can result from __________.

converging surface currents

To produce a surface current of 1.6 knots in the open ocean, a steady wind of _____ knots would be required.

80

The theoretical movement of surface water due to Ekman transport in the Northern Hemisphere is about __________.

90 degrees to the right of wind direction

Of the following surface currents, which one(s) transport large volumes of warm water to higher latitudes? Choose all that apply.

Brazil Current Kuroshio Current the Gulf Stream

Of the following currents, which ones are parts of the South Atlantic Subtropical Gyre? Choose all that apply.

Brazil Current West Wind Drift Benguela Current South Equatorial Current

Of the following statements about deep-ocean currents, which is/are true? Choose all that apply.

Deep-ocean currents transport a volume of water equal to that of 100 Amazon-size rivers. Deep-ocean currents contain water with high oxygen concentrations. Deep-ocean circulation is referred to as thermohaline flow. Deep-ocean currents are important regulators of global climate. Deep-ocean currents are initiated near Antarctica and in the North Atlantic Ocean, where cold, dense water sinks.

Of the following statements about the Ekman spiral and Ekman transport, which is/are true? Choose all that apply.

Ekman transport is to the right of the wind direction in the Northern Hemisphere. The Coriolis effect causes surface waters to move at an angle relative to the wind direction. Ekman transport can result in both upwelling and downwelling. In the deeper layers of the Ekman spiral, water can move in a direction opposite of the wind direction.

Of the following locations, where would upwelling be expected to occur? Choose all that apply.

In areas of diverging surface currents Where seamounts or tablemounts are present Where there is a sharp bend in a coastline

Of the following conditions, which is/are related to strong El Niño events? Choose all that apply.

Increased abundance of hurricanes in the eastern Pacific Ocean Higher sea levels in the eastern Pacific Ocean associated with warmer water Increase in sea surface temperatures and destruction of coral reefs in the eastern Pacific Ocean

Of the following gyres, which one(s) flow in a counterclockwise direction? Choose all that apply.

Indian Ocean Subtropical Gyre South Atlantic Subtropical Gyre South Pacific Subtropical Gyre Northern Hemisphere Subpolar Gyres

Of the following surface currents, which one(s) flow generally from west to east? Choose all that apply.

North Pacific Current West Wind Drift Equatorial Counter Current

The West Wind Drift is a part of which of the following subtropical gyres? Choose all that apply

South Pacific Subtropical Gyre South Atlantic Subtropical Gyre Indian Ocean Subtropical Gyre

Of the following statements about subtropical gyres, which is/are true? Choose all that apply.

The western boundary current of all subtropical gyres is intensified (it is fast, narrow, and deep). The centers of all subtropical gyres are associated with high atmospheric pressure. Globally, there are five subtropical gyres. There are four main surface currents in each subtropical gyre. The rotation of each subtropical gyre causes a "hill" of water to pile up within it.

The largest of the great ocean surface currents is the __________.

West Wind Drift

During a strong El Niño event, the news media might be expected to cover __________.

a tropical cyclone in Hawaii or Tahiti

An indirect method of measuring ocean currents is the use of __________.

radar altimeters

Records indicate that the ocean is warming faster in the Arctic polar regions than elsewhere. If that continues, a possible consequence could be __________.

slowing of deep ocean circulation, resulting in lower oxygen levels in deep water

Deep ocean current movement is also known as __________.

thermohaline flow

Warm core rings and cold core rings are associated with __________.

western boundary currents