Oceanography Chapter 7 Homework

The actual movement of surface water due to Ekman transport in the Northern Hemisphere is about

45° to the right of wind direction

Of the following statements about deep-ocean currents, which is/are true? Deep-ocean currents contain water that is high in oxygen. The volume of water involved in the downward movement of deep-ocean currents is equal to the flow of 100 Amazon-sized rivers. Deep-ocean currents often travel faster than ocean surface currents. Deep-ocean currents are initiated by downwelling of cold, dense water near Antarctica and in the North Atlantic Ocean. Deep-ocean currents are important regulators of global climate. Deep-ocean circulation is often referred to as thermohaline flow.

Deep-ocean currents contain water that is high in oxygen. The volume of water involved in the downward movement of deep-ocean currents is equal to the flow of 100 Amazon-sized rivers. Deep-ocean currents are initiated by downwelling of cold, dense water near Antarctica and in the North Atlantic Ocean. Deep-ocean currents are important regulators of global climate. Deep-ocean circulation is often referred to as thermohaline flow.

What is the Walker Circulation Cell?

It is the path that air takes as it moves from high to low pressure, and back to high pressure, in the South Pacific under normal conditions.

What would you expect weather to be like on the eastern coast of Australia if the western coast of South America were experiencing unusually warm, wet weather?

The eastern coast of Australia would be experiencing unusually dry weather.

Of the following statements about Ekman spiral and Ekman transport, which is/are true? The two factors that affect the Ekman spiral are the wind direction and the Coriolis effect. Because of the Coriolis effect, surface waters move at an angle to the wind direction. Ekman transport is the same thing as thermohaline flow. Ekman transport is to the right of the wind direction in the Northern Hemisphere. Connecting the arrows of water movement from the surface into deeper waters shows the spiral pattern. Within the Ekman spiral, deeper water can move in a direction exactly opposite of the wind direction

The two factors that affect the Ekman spiral are the wind direction and the Coriolis effect. Because of the Coriolis effect, surface waters move at an angle to the wind direction. Ekman transport is to the right of the wind direction in the Northern Hemisphere. Connecting the arrows of water movement from the surface into deeper waters shows the spiral pattern. Within the Ekman spiral, deeper water can move in a direction exactly opposite of the wind direction

Of the following statements about subtropical gyres, which is/are true? The western boundary current of all subtropical gyres is intensified (it is fast, narrow, and deep). The rotation of each subtropical gyre causes a "hill" of water to pile up within it. There are four main surface currents in each subtropical gyre. Subtropical gyres flow in the same direction in both hemispheres. Globally, there are five subtropical gyres. The centers of all subtropical gyres are associated with high atmospheric pressure.

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

Why does upwelling occur along the west coast of South America under normal conditions?

Winds moving westward in the South Pacific drive ocean currents toward the west; deep water rises to replace water driven westward.

The thermocline is _________________

a steep temperature gradient in the ocean that separates deeper cold water from warmer upper water

To what depth in the ocean does the Ekman spiral extend?

about 100 meters (330ft)

What common household item is used in this video to demonstrate the Ekman spiral?

deck of cards

Which direction do ocean currents in the South Pacific move under El Niño conditions?

eastward

What is the overall effect of the stronger than normal trade winds typical of La Niña conditions?

lowering of the South Pacific ocean temperature from normal conditions

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Ekman spiral moves layers of water to the _____ of the wind direction and Ekman transport (the overall direction of water movement) is to the _____.

right; right

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

What is the Southern Oscillation?

the swapping of high and low pressure zones in the South Pacific under El Niño conditions

The largest of the great ocean surface currents is the

the west wind drift

Under which conditions are droughts and wildfires common in Australia?

under El Niño conditions

Warm core rings and cold core rings are associated with

western boundary currents