Oceanography: Chapter 7 Ocean Circulation
geostrophic circulation within a gyre is driven by ___________.
gravity and the coriolis effect
deep ocean currents are driven primarily by _______ and caused by _______.
density differences; differences in salinity and temperature
deep ocean currents are driven by
density differences
converging surface waters are areas of _______ and _______ productivity.
downwelling; low
deep-water currents move ________ volumes of water and are much ________ than surface currents.
larger; slower
the El Nino Southern Oscillation can best be described as _______.
the relationship between sea surface temperature and changing atmospheric pressure
surface waters are pushed away from land and replaced by nutrient-rich deep water through __________.
upwelling
diverging surface waters are areas of ________ and _________ productivity.
upwelling; high
the observation that one subtropical boundary current is faster, narrower, and deeper than its counterparts is an example of which of the following?
western intensification
surface ocean currents are driven primarily by _______ and modified by ______.
wind; the coriolis effect and land
which of the following is the only current that completely circumscribes earth?
antarctic circumpolar
compared to western boundary currents, eastern boundary currents are _______.
broad and slow
an increase in seawater density can be caused by a _________ in temperature or a/an _________ in salinity.
decrease; increase
coastal winds can cause upwelling or downwelling due to which of the following?
ekman transport
during winter months, monsoon winds over the Indian Ocean ________.
flow from land to sea and are dry
warm currents flowing _______ on the _______ sides of continents produce warm, humid conditions.
poleward; eastern
which of the following statements is true of surface ocean currents?
surface currents form circular patterns in the major ocean basins called "gyres"
western intensification causes _________.
the center of the gyre to be shifted to the west
the Ekman spiral is caused by ________.
the wind and the coriolis effect
equatorial currents are driven by the _________.
trade winds