Oceanography Exam 1
The surface tension of water: A) increases as density decreases. B) is related to salinity. C) is relatively high. D) is relatively low. E) is very similar in other liquids.
c
The shapes of the ocean basins today have been created by a process known as plate tectonics. The theory of plate tectonics grew out of a hypothesis known as continental drift. List all four lines of evidence Alfred Wegner cited in support of continental drift.
Fit of the continents, Matching sequences of rocks and mountain chains, Glacial debris in tropical locations, Tropical fossils in polar regions, and Distribution of organisms and fossils
A very important way to increase the settling rate of fine particles in the open ocean is via: A) carbonate dissolution. B) deposit feeders. C) fecal pellets. D) precipitation. E) wind.
c
All of the following are methods used to desalinate water except: A) electrolysis. B) freeze separation. C) osmosis. D) reverse osmosis. E) distillation
c
Along the margins of the Pacific are found most of Earth's: A) seamounts. B) tablemounts. C) abyssal hills or seaknolls. D) oceanic trenches. E) oceanic ridges.
c
Cosmogenous sediment consists of two main types of sediment: A) microscopic spherules and macroscopic meteor debris. B) microscopic spherules and abyssal clays. C) biogenous oozes and macroscopic meteor debris. D) abyssal clays and evaporites. E) biogenous oozes and evaporites.
c
High-energy environments are most likely to deposit which one of the following? A) clay-sized particles B) cosmogenous sediments C) large particles such as gravel D) manganese nodules E) silt-sized particles
c
Hydrogen bonds form between neighboring water molecules because of: A) electron sharing. B) electron transfer. C) the polarity of water molecules. D) surface tension. E) the viscosity of water.
c
In comparison to most other liquids, the heat capacity of liquid water is: A) a function of salinity. B) about the same as other liquids. C) higher than other liquids. D) lower than other liquids. E) related to solvent concentration.
c
Latent heat is the quantity of heat gained or lost as a substance undergoes a: A) change in chemical composition. B) change in molecular weight. C) change in state. D) change in atomic mass. E) change in subatomic structure.
c
Manganese nodules are an example of: A) biogenous sediments. B) cosmogenous sediments. C) hydrogenous sediments. D) terrigenous sediments. E) volcagenic sediments.
c
Many of the unique properties of water are attributed to the fact that water: A) contains ionic bonds. B) exists in three states of matter on Earth's surface. C) is a polar molecule. D) is a universal solvent. E) requires heat to condense.
c
Many of the unique properties of water, such as cohesion and its reputation as a universal solvent, come from its ability to form hydrogen bonds. What causes water's ability to form hydrogen bonds? Select one: a. Strong covalent bonds. b. Strong ionic bonds. c. The bent geometry and resultant polarity of the water molecule allows it to form hydrogen bonds. d. Water molecules contain sodium (Na) ions that break down substances.
c
Ocean trenches occur along which type of tectonic boundary? Select one: a. Divergent b. Transform c. Convergent
c
Sediments found on continental margins are called: A) continental. B) estuarine. C) neritic. D) oceanic. E) pelagic.
c
Sediments produced because of chemical reactions in seawater are called: A) cosmogenous. B) biogenous. C) hydrogenous. D) lithogenous. E) volcanogenic
c
Tectonic plates are pieces of the ________ that float on the more fluid ________ below. A) crust; lithosphere B) asthenosphere; lithosphere C) lithosphere; asthenosphere D) mantle; crust E) lithosphere; mesosphere
c
The alternating reversals of Earth's magnetic field throughout history have been recorded in sea floor rocks in a particular pattern and chronology. How does this support plate tectonics? Select one: a. The pattern of alternating reversal indicates that the sea level has risen due to plate subduction. b. This does not support plate tectonics. c. The pattern of alternating reversals indicates sea floor spreading and, as a result, continental drift. d. The patterns of alternating reversals indicates that the sea floor is static, and so there must be another mechanism for plate movement.
c
Match the marine organisms with the correct type of ooze. Radiolarians Coccolithiphores Foraminifera Diatoms -siliceous, carbonate
siliceous, carbonate, carbonate, siliceous
What formed the oceans?
volcanic eruptions and gassing of the surface of the earth (water vapor), chondrites
Evidence for big bang
electromagnetic waves
Match the type of plate boundary with the relative motion of the plates at each location. Convergent Divergent Transform -move together, move apart, slide past
- move together -move apart -slide past
Why study marine sediments?
-Provide information about Earth and its environmental systems on long time scales -Can provide information about past climate change -Can provide information about seafloor habitats and how they impact marine organisms -Locating offshore mineral resources -Map offshore pollution -Identify sites for coastal structures and oil platforms
Lithosphere
A rigid layer made up of the uppermost part of the mantle and the crust.
Side Scanning Sonar
Active system for acquiring images of the seafloor using pulsed sound waves.
mid-ocean ridge
An underwater mountain chain where new ocean floor is formed, rift valley - hydrothermal vents
What was the major flaw in the hypothesis of continental drift? (Answers must be 3-5 sentences to receive full credit)
Basically Wegener did not have an explanation for how continental drift could have occurred. Scientist rejected the idea that the continents were flung about due to rotational momentum because it was contrary to the laws of physics. If the continents had plowed through the seabed they would have left tracks on the seafloor, and there are none.
What are the four most abundant dissolved components (ions) in seawater?
Chloride, Sodium, Sulfate, Magnesium
Name the three major provinces of the ocean floor.
Continental margins, Deep ocean basins, Mid-ocean ridge
Name one method an oceanographer might use to retrieve sediment samples from the seafloor.
Dredging, coring, drilling
Ocean Stages
Embryonic ocean - rifting - African rift valleys Juvenile - water starts to accumulate - Red Sea Mature - growing wider, sea floor spreading - Atlantic Declining - starts to shrink bc of subduction, crust sinks below continents - Pacific Terminal - only sinking - Mediterranean Suturing - continents go back together - Himalayas
Who started the idea of sea floor spreading?
Harry Hess
white smokers
Hydrothermal vents between 30°C and 350°C produce white water because of the presence of various light colored compounds, like barium sulfide
warm water vents
Hydrothermal vents that have water temperatures below 30 degrees Celsius and emit water that is clear in color
Athenosphere
The soft layer of the mantle on which the tectonic plates move
All continents fit together with the least number of overlaps and gaps when the continents are matched along: A) contours at around 2,000 meters depth. B) current shorelines. C) edge of the continental shelf. D) edges of the deep sea floor. E) oceanic trenches in subduction zones.
a
All of the following processes decrease seawater salinity except: A) evaporation. B) iceberg melting. C) precipitation. D) river runoff. E) sea ice melting.
a
All of the following statements are true of ocean sediments except: A) ocean sediments are thickest in pelagic waters overlying the oceanic ridges. B) ocean sediments can include the fossilized remains of ancient marine life. C) ocean sediments may form from the remains of living organisms falling to the ocean floor. D) ocean sediments include the remains of ancient rocks of cosmic origin. E) ocean sediments may be composed of chemical precipitates such as calcium carbonate or manganese dioxide.
a
Black smokers emit water in excess of 350 degrees Celsius, but release liquid water rather than steam. Why is this so? Select one: a. The boiling point of water is much higher where black smokers occur due to higher pressure. b. The benthic life associated with black smokers prohibits the water from vaporizing. c. The water surrounding the smokers cools down the emitted water. d. None of the above.
a
Characteristics of active continental margins include all of the following except: A) broad continental shelves. B) chains of islands. C) deep-sea trenches. D) thin sediment accumulation. E) volcanic and earthquake activity.
a
Oceanic crust is very dense and relatively thin. Continental crust is less dense and relatively thick. What happens when plate tectonics when an oceanic plate and a continental plate converge? Select one: a. The denser oceanic plate is subducted. b. Transform faulting rips open the mid-ocean ridge. c. The continental plate is subducted. d. Subduction stops and mountain ranges are uplifted.
a
Older lithosphere is destroyed in association with: A) deep-sea trenches. B) fracture zones. C) hydrothermal vents. D) mid-ocean ridges. E) spreading centers
a
Sediment that begins as rocks on continents or islands is called: A) lithogenous (terrigenous) sediment. B) biogenous sediment. C) hydrogenous sediment. D) cosmogenous sediment. E) All of the above.
a
Sediments with an extraterrestrial origin are called: A) cosmogenous. B) biogenous. C) hydrogenous. D) lithogenous. E) volcanogenic.
a
The San Andreas Fault: A) is a continental transform fault. B) is an oceanic transform fault. C) is associated with deep focus earthquakes. D) is located in the Juan de Fuca Plate.
a
The World Ocean is divided into 5 major basins. From largest to smallest (areal coverage) they are: Select one: a. Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Arctic b. Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic, Southern, Indian c. Indian, Southern, Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific d. Arctic, Southern, Indian, Pacific, Atlantic
a
The first person to advance the idea of mobile continents or continental drift was: A) Harry Hess. B) Frederick Vine. C) Alfred Wegener. D) Drummond Matthews. E) John Tuzo Wilson.
a
The most likely place to find abundant manganese nodules is on the A. abyssal plain far from a continent. B. continental rise. C. continental shelf. D. crest of a mid-ocean ridge. E. All of the above locations contain manganese nodules
a
What is the unit that represents the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water by 1 degree centigrade? Select one: a. Calorie b. Van der Waals c. Heat capacity d. Kilocalorie e. Joule
a
Which of the following is not a technique used regularly to determine bathymetry? Select one: a. snorkeling b. seismic reflection profiles c. satellites d. soundings
a
Which property of water causes coastal communities to have only moderate differences in daily highs and lows when compared to inland communities? A) high heat capacity B) high salinity C) high viscosity D) low heat capacity E) low viscosity
a
You are on a research cruise, and you leave Japan, heading east. At about 1500 kilometers east of Japan, you encounter a large volcanic plateau (Shatsky Rise) that is covered with sediments. You lower a piston core to sample the sediments, and the wire indicator says 2500 meters of water depth. What kind of sediment will the core likely contain? Select one: a. Carbonate ooze b. Abyssal clays c. Siliceous ooze d. Hydrogenous e. Lithogenous
a Because the core is taken from waters shallower than the CCD in mid-ocean at temperate latitudes, the core material will likely be carbonate ooze, which tends to dominate in this environment.
Why is quartz one of the most abundant constituents of lithogenous sediments? Select one: a. Quartz is a common mineral in continental rocks that is resistant to abrasion and weathering allowing it to be transported long distances. . b. Quartz is composed of silicon and oxygen. c. Quartz is heavier than most other minerals, so it tends to be concentrated in marine deposits d. Quartz is formed in the arid environments of deserts, which only occur on land. e. Quartz is a mineral found in rocks from continental mountain belts.
a Quartz is the mineral left over when most all other mineral grains have been destroyed or turned to clay by chemical weathering.
black smokers
above 662 degrees F/350 degrees C and emits black water because of presence of dark colored metal sulfites, including iron, nickel, copper, and zinc
All of the following are lithogenous sediments except: A) beach sand. B) diatom ooze. C) glacial deposits. D) clays. E) volcanic particles.
b
All of the following statements regarding pH are true except: A) A pH of 3.0 is acidic and a pH of 10.0 is alkaline. B) As a whole, the pH of the ocean is slightly acidic. C) Buffers prevent large changes in the pH of a solution. D) pH will be buffered in deeper water where organisms with calcite shells sink. E) pH relates to relative acid-base ion balance in a solution.
b
An area of the ocean where rapid change in ocean salinity occurs with a change in depth is the: A) barocline. B) halocline. C) isocline. D) pycnocline. E) thermocline
b
As the salinity of seawater increases, its: A) density decreases. B) density increases. C) residence time increases. D) residence time decreases. E) residence time changes
b
Deep ocean trenches are associated with: A) rift valleys. B) subduction zones. C) submarine canyons. D) transform faults. E) turbidity currents.
b
Fossils of ancient polar plants are currently found near the equator because the: A) entire earth had polar conditions at the time the plants were living. B) plants lived near the poles, but landmasses have drifted to current locations. C) plants probably were tolerant of both tropical and polar conditions. D) plants were distributed to current locations by ancient glacial ice sheets. E) poles were at the equator at times in the geologic past.
b
Oceanic ridges and rises result from seafloor spreading along: A) convergent plate boundaries. B) divergent plate boundaries. C) transform plate boundaries. D) none of the above.
b
Passive continental margins are characterized by all of the following except: A) broad continental shelves. B) deep-sea trenches. C) shallow coastal waters. D) thick sediment accumulation. E) very little volcanic and earthquake activity.
b
Satellites are used to map the ocean floor because: A) they are unaffected by surface weather. B) they can cover areas where ships have not produced surveys. C) they can "see" large areas of the seafloor at one time. D) the shape of the ocean surface itself reflects large features on the seafloor below. E) All of the above statements are correct.
b
Sediments produced by plants and animals in the sea are called: A) cosmogenous. B) biogenous. C) hydrogenous. D) terrigenous. E) volcanogenic.
b
The covalent bonds form between hydrogen and oxygen atoms in a water molecule form as a result of the: A) polarity of water molecules. B) sharing of electrons between the atoms. C) surface tension of water. D) transfer of electrons between the atoms. E) viscosity of water.
b
The direction of motion along a seafloor transform fault is: A) associated with turbidity currents. B) in the same direction as the plates are spreading. C) in the same direction as the ridge offset. D) influenced by underwater boundary currents. E) perpendicular to the direction of plate movement.
b
The seafloor magnetic pattern is best described as: A) not related to the location of mid-ocean ridges. B) parallel to and symmetric about mid-ocean ridges. C) parallel to, but not symmetric about mid-ocean ridges. D) perpendicular to and symmetric about mid-ocean ridges. E) perpendicular to, but not symmetric about mid-ocean ridges.
b
Transform faults have all of the following characteristics except: A) they occur along transform plate boundaries. B) movement occurs in the same direction. C) they have many earthquakes. D) they occur between offset oceanic ridge segments.
b
Water can pile up a short distance above a container's rim due to: A) strong covalent bonds. B) high surface tension. C) high viscosity. D) low surface tension. E) low viscosity.
b
Which of the following contains calcium carbonate (CaCO3)? A) diatoms B) foraminiferans C) glauconite D) phosphorites E) radiolarians
b
Which of the following is characteristic of continental-continental convergent plate boundaries? A) hot spots B) uplifted mountain ranges C) mid-ocean ridges D) volcanic island arcs
b
Why are deep ocean basins covered with abyssal clay deposits? Select one: a. Clay is formed by hydrothermal vents, which are founding the deep sea. b. Clay dominates because of the near absence of other sediment particles that would dilute it. c. Only the deep ocean has the right pressure, temperature, and oxygen conditions to form red clay. d. Clay particles are carried to the middle of the oceans by wind and currents. e. Clays are formed from submarine weathering of other sediments.
b Abyssal clay is 70% fine clay from continents transported great distances by winds and ocean currents. It is often red because of the oxidized iron.
How does the latent heat of evaporation (and its equivalent, the latent heat of condensation) moderate climate? Select one: a. It retards the formation of ice, keeping the oceans warmer. b. By absorbing energy on evaporation and releasing it on condensation, it keeps water cool when the air is hot and water warm when the air cool. c. The endothermic reaction does not allow salt to build up past a certain concentration. d. The latent heat helps generate winds, which help keep the oceans cool when the air is hot.
b The two latent heats tend to work against temperature swings.
The measurement and charting of the depths and shape of the ocean floor is called
bathymetry
siliceous ooze
biogenous sediment composed of the silica based shells of single-celled animals and algae - diatoms and radiolarians
Where do most of the largest earthquakes occur? Select one: a. Transform plate boundaries b. Divergent plate boundaries c. Convergent plate boundaries d. In the center of continents e. At volcanic hotspots
c
Ocean Provinces
continental margins, deep-ocean basins, mid-ocean ridge
All of the following are considered part of the continental margin except the: A) continental rise. B) continental shelf. C) continental slope. D) fracture zone. E) submarine canyon
d
All of the following are types of plate boundaries except: Select one: a. Transform b. Convergent c. Divergent d. Strike-Slip
d
All of the following processes decrease the salinity of water except: A) precipitation. B) runoff. C) icebergs melting. D) evaporation. E) sea ice melting.
d
An area of the ocean where rapid change in ocean density occurs with a change in depth is the: A) barocline. B) halocline. C) isocline. D) pycnocline. E) thermocline.
d
New lithosphere is produced in association with: A) deep-sea trenches. B) fracture zones. C) hydrothermal vents. D) oceanic ridges. E) transform faults.
d
Paleomagnetism can be demonstrated in which of the following examples? Select one: a. At equal distances from the mid-ocean ridge, the sea floor composition is different. b. The rock of Africa and South America have difference magnetic polarities in rock of the same age. c. The polarity of Earth's magnetism is not recorded in the rock of the Earth. d. At equal distances from the mid-ocean ridge, the polarity of the Earth's magnetism in the rock is the same
d
Sediments derived from pre-existing rocks on land are called: A) cosmogenous. B) biogenous. C) hydrogenous. D) lithogenous. E) volcanogenic
d
The Mid-Atlantic Ridge is an example of a: A) convergent plate boundary (continent-continent). B) convergent plate boundary (continent-oceanic). C) convergent plate boundary (oceanic-oceanic). D) divergent plate boundary. E) transform fault boundary
d
The correct order of seafloor features from the coast to the mid-ocean ridge is: A) abyssal plain, rise, slope, shelf. B) abyssal plain, shelf, slope, rise. C) rise, abyssal plain, slope, shelf. D) shelf, slope, rise, abyssal plain. E) slope, rise, shelf, abyssal plain
d
The states of matter in which water exists is primarily determined by: A) density. B) salinity. C) chlorinity. D) temperature. E) pH.
d
The transfer of water between the atmosphere, the oceans, and the continents is known as the: A) closed cycle. B) geologic cycle. C) hydrobiological cycle. D) hydrologic cycle. E) meteorological cycle.
d
Wegener used all of the following provide evidence for continental drift except: A) age of selected continental rocks. B) apparent polar wandering. C) location of coral reef fossils. D) seafloor magnetic pattern. E) shape of continental margins.
d
Which of the following is characteristic of oceanic-oceanic convergent plate boundaries? A) fracture zones B) hot spots C) mid-ocean ridges D) volcanic island arcs
d
Which of the following statements is true of the lithosphere? A) The lithosphere is composed of outer mantle material. B) The lithosphere is composed of igneous rock. C) The lithosphere is composed of metamorphic rock. D) The lithosphere is composed of the crust and the uppermost portion of the mantle. E) The lithosphere is composed of the inner portion of the mantle and the outer core.
d
With respect to mid-ocean ridges, transform faults are: A) associated with hydrothermal vents. B) located in submarine canyons. C) parallel to the rift valley. D) perpendicular to the ridge axis.
d
The salinity of seawater is determined by measuring the amount of chloride ion. Why? Select one: a. Chloride ion is part of the salt crystal. b. Chloride must ionic bond to sodium. c. Chloride is in every salt molecule in seawater. d. Chloride ion is the most abundant ion in seawater and easy to measure.
d The salts in seawater are in constant proportion, so a single constituent can be measured to determine total salinity. Chloride is the greatest abundance and is easily measured.
carbonate ooze
deposits of foraminifers and coccolithophores
A rapid change in ocean temperature with a change in depth occurs in the: A) barocline. B) halocline. C) isocline. D) pycnocline. E) thermocline
e
All of the following are hydrogenous sediments except: A) evaporites. B) halites. C) manganese nodule. D) phosphates. E) stromatolites.
e
All of the following are true concerning neritic sediment deposits except: A) they may contain coarse-grained sand and rock fragments in the sediments. B) they may contain sediments of lithogenous origin. C) they may contain sediments transported from rivers onto the continental shelf. D) they may form in shallow coastal waters. E) they are primarily composed of calcareous deposits of biological origin
e
Evidence for continental drift includes: A) the fit of the continents. B) matching sequences of rocks and mountain chains. C) past glacial activity. D) the distribution of organisms. E) all of the above
e
Frederick Vine and Drummond Matthews determined that new ocean floor was being produced at ocean ridges by examining: A) apparent polar wandering. B) fossils in marine sediments. C) glacial debris at various locations. D) the location of ancient coral reefs. E) the magnetic pattern of rocks on the seafloor
e
The Hawaiian Islands are located where the Pacific plate is: A) being subducted beneath the North American plate. B) being subducted beneath Japan. C) being thrust over the North American plate. D) diving under Japan. E) moving over a hot spot or mantle plume
e
The Principle of Constant Proportions states that: A) ocean salinity varies as a function of season. B) ocean salinity varies with geographical location. C) the percentage of chloride varies with geographical location. D) the percentage of sodium varies with ocean depth. E) the relative concentrations of the major ions in seawater does not change
e
The four main classifications of marine sediment include: A) lithogenous (terrigenous) sediment. B) biogenous sediment. C) hydrogenous sediment. D) cosmogenous sediment. E) All of the above.
e
The ion in seawater that serves as a buffer is: A) Ca+2. B) Cl-. C) CO2. D) Na+. E) HCO3-.
e
What happens when plate tectonics causes two continents to collide at a convergent plate boundary? Select one: a. The convergent boundary turns into a divergent or transform boundary. b. One continent is subducted into the mantle. c. A supercontinent is formed. d. Subduction stops abruptly. e. Neither continent will subduct, so they crumple and form mountain ranges.
e
Which of the following contains silica (SiO2)? A) coccolithophores B) corals C) foraminiferans D) phosphorites E) radiolarians
e
Which of the following is not an important control on oceanic sediment accumulation? A) degree of preservation B) dilution C) input from other sediment types D) rate of deposition E) All of the above factors are important.
e
latent heat
heat absorbed or radiated during a change of phase at a constant temperature and pressure
Is earth heterogeneous or homegeneous?
hetero
echo soundings
or fathomer, reflection of sound signal; lacks detail, may provide inaccurate view of sea floor
Hydrogen bond
oxygen from one water molecule attracts hydrogen atoms of another oxygen end has partial negative charge and hydrogen end has partial positive
Wilson Cycle
sequence that leads to formation, expansion, contracting, and elimination of ocean basins
Continental margins
shallow-water areas close to continents, passive and active
Heat capacity
the amount of heat needed to increase the temperature of 1 gram of an object exactly 1°C
deep-ocean basin
the part of the ocean floor that is under deep water beyond the continent margin and that is composed of oceanic crust and a thin layer of sediment, abyssal plains
specific heat
way to express heat capacity of a per gram basis
Benioff zones
zones of inclined seismic activity, earthquakes and volcano zones