Earth Chapter 16

During the past 40,000 years, sea level has fluctuated by ____ meters. A. 0.15 B. 1.5 C. 15 D. 150

150

The average salinity of the ocean is ____ percent. A. 70 B. 35 C. 7 D. 3.5

3.5

The Sea of Cortez lies in a subtropical region between the Baja Peninsula and the west coast of Mexico. Most of the surrounding land is desert, and the one large river, the Colorado, empties only a small amount of water into the sea. In contrast, the Strait of Georgia lies off the temperate coast of British Columbia and is fed by melting glaciers and many streams. Which of the following comparisons of the salinities of these regions is correct? A. The Sea of Cortez is saltier because freshwater input is low and evaporation is high. B. The Strait of Georgia is saltier because cool temperatures promote salt crystallization. C. The Strait of Georgia is saltier because the numerous rivers transport salt water into the sea. D. Both regions have the same salinity because all of the oceans are interconnected and the salt is evenly dispersed.

A. The Sea of Cortez is saltier because freshwater input is low and evaporation is high.

A spring tide is a ____ tide formed when the Sun and Moon are ____. A. small, 90° out of alignment B. large, 90° out of alignment C. small, aligned D. large, aligned

D. Large, Aligned

The world's largest and deepest ocean is the ____ Ocean. A. Atlantic B. Pacific C. Indian D. Arctic

Pacific

Long shore currents transport sediment ____. A. Perpendicular to the coast B. In a zigzag pattern along the coast C. Parallel to the coast D. In circular patterns

Parallel to the coast

The backshore is the:

a region above the normal high tide line that is washed by waves only during storms

Eustatic sea-level change occurs because of:

all of these choices

A sand bar forming an island parallel to the shore is called a/an ____. A. Oceanic island B. Atoll C. Seawall D. Barrier island

barrier island

Coral reefs develop in:

clear, shallow, tropical water

Upwelling carries:

cold water from the ocean depths to the surface

Surface water becomes denser when it becomes ____ and ____. A. Warm, salty B. Warm, less salty C. Cool, salty D. Cool, less salty

cool , salty

____ are continuous flows of water in a particular direction. A. Currents B. Waves C. Gyres D. Crests

currents

The wavelength is the:

distance between successive crests

An emergent coastline forms where sea level ____ or coastal land ____. A. Falls, Sinks B. Falls, rises C. Rises, sinks D. Rises, rises

falls, rises

Deep-sea currents are driven by:

gravity

Circular paths of ocean currents are called ____ A. Atolls B. Guyots C. Belts D. Gyres

gyres

The thermocline: A. B. C. D.

is the middle layer of the ocean where temperature drops rapidly with depth

Ocean waves:

oscillate in circles

Most of the photosynthesis and nutrient consumption in the ocean is carried out by:

plankton

A neap tide is a:

small tide formed when the Sun and Moon are 90 degrees out of alignment

Ocean water density depends on ____. A. Temperature only B. Salinity only C. Temperature and salinity D. Water color

temperature and salinity

Ocean waves steepen near shore because:

the lower portion of the wave slows down as it drags against the sea floor.

The layer of pronounced temperature change with water depth is called ____. A. Thermocline B. Halocline C. Pynocline D. Tempicline

thermocline

The wave height is the

vertical distance between the crest and the trough of a wave

The ____ is the highest part of a wave. A. Wave crest B. Wave trough C. Wave height D. Wavelength

wave crest

Surface currents are mostly ____-driven. A. Gravity B. Sand C. Zooplankton D. Wind

wind

The size of waves depends on:

wind speed, length of time the wind has been blowing, and fetch