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