env geo exam 3 chap 9
Worldwide average salinity is _______.
3.5%
The largest ocean in the world in terms of area is the _______ ocean and the smallest ocean in terms of area is the ocean.
Pacific, Arctic Pacific > Atlantic > Indian > Southern > Arctic
The concentration of dissolved solids in the seawater is called_________.
Salinity
Mass wasting hazards are less likely to occur along trailing edge shorelines than along leading edge shorelines.
True
The Moon's gravitational pull on the Earth is greater than that of the Sun's.
True
Tropical cyclones originate entirely within tropical air masses.
True
What is meant by wave base?
Water depth affected by a wave
What is wave base a measure of?
Wave energy
What is meant by the term surf zone?
Zone of breaking waves
What is the problem with the use of beach groins?
Down-drift areas will experience beach starvation
Currents out in the open ocean are primarily driven by which of the following?
prevailing winds and density differences of the water
Which of the following is incorrectly matched?
spring tides-high tides only
Which of the following best describes leading edge shorelines?
steep slopes, irregular coastline, restricted beaches
About 2% of the oceanic mass comprise
the mixing zone of blended solutes and temperatures
Which of the following is not true of tides?
they are produced solely by the gravitational pull of the Sun
Which of the following explains why longshore currents develop along shorelines?
wave refraction
What best explains how surf forms along a shoreline?
waves beginning to drag on the seafloor and slowing down
What best describes why irregular shorelines evolve and become straighter over time?
waves erode headlands and deposit sediment in coves and bays
Which of the following best describes the cause of ocean tides?
Earth's spinning motion and gravitational effect of the Moon and Sun.
Which part of a hurricane consists of dry, descending air?
Eye
Although many elements are dissolved in seawater. no gases are dissolved in it.
False
As the evaporation rate increases, salinity decreases.
False
Brine water tends to occur near coastal deltas.
False
Seawater is not a solution.
False
Should you ever find yourself being swept out to sea in a rip current, it is important to immediately try to swim directly back to shore.
False
Why are longshore currents important in environmental geology?
cause the beach itself to migrate over time
From inland to the ocean, which sequence of zones is correct?
coast, backshore, foreshore, nearshore
Breakwaters are commonly used in coastal engineering. What is the basic purpose of installing a breakwater?
create a quiet area to moor boats and reduce erosion
Hurricanes are a coastal hazard for all of the following reasons except
excessive beach development
The size of the contact area between the wind and water is called ______.
fetch
Brine water results from
high evaporation rates
Hurricanes cause a regional rise in sea level (dome of water) that can result in a very dangerous phenomenon known as storm surge. What best explains the cause for this rise in sea level?
high winds and lower air pressure within the storm
Brackish water would be most likely to occur
in a deltaic swamp
Beach nourishment is a common technique for minimizing shoreline retreat. Which of the following is a negative consequence of beach nourishment?
is costly and must be done periodically
A general term for the coastal environment is
littoral zone
Seawalls are commonly used to stop shoreline retreat. Which of the following is a negative consequence of building a seawall?
loss of the beach at high tide
Which of the following occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are in alignment (i.e., in opposition or conjunction)?
maximum tidal ranges occur
