Question 1

The Coriolis effect causes the apparent deflection of currents as a result of

Accepted Answer

The Coriolis effect occurs due to the rotation of Earth. It causes the apparent deflection of currents and wind patterns.

Question 2

Surface currents flow __________ in the Northern Hemisphere and __________ in the Southern Hemisphere.

Accepted Answer

Surface currents flow clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere due to the Coriolis effect, which is caused by the Earth's rotation.

Question 3

If two wind-driven waves moving from different directions came together in such a way that the wave crests overlap to form a single crest, what would happen to the size of the waves? The newly formed wave would

Accepted Answer

When two waves combine to form a single crest, it is called constructive interference. In this case, the amplitude of the newly formed wave will be the sum of the amplitudes of the two original waves, making it larger than either of the individual waves. Therefore, the correct choice is A.

Question 4

As a wave passes through the open ocean, the water molecules move

Accepted Answer

Water molecules in a wave move in a circular path, with the circular motion decreasing in size as the depth of the water increases.

Question 5

According to this map, upwelling currents are most likely found at the

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to this map, upwelling currents are...

Question 6

What prevents the individual water masses from becoming one single water mass?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What prevents the individual water masses from...

Question 7

A wave will disturb the water to a depth equal to

Accepted Answer

The answer of A wave will disturb the water to...

Question 8

The prevailing global wind patterns influence

Accepted Answer

The prevailing global wind patterns directly influence the direction and strength of ocean currents. As wind blows over the ocean's surface, it creates friction that generates currents. These currents are then influenced by the Earth's rotation and the Coriolis force, which causes them to move in a certain direction. Therefore, oceans currents are influenced by both wind and the Coriolis force, which is a result of the Earth's rotation.

Question 9

The size of open ocean waves generated by the wind depend on the wind __________, the __________ of the wind, and the duration of the wind blowing.

Accepted Answer

The size of open ocean waves generated by the wind depends on the strength (how strong the wind is), the fetch (the distance over which the wind blows), and the duration of the wind blowing.

Question 10

Ripples are the result of

Accepted Answer

The answer of Ripples are the result of
...

Question 11

What affect would the Coriolis effect have on the Space Station? The space station would

Accepted Answer

The Coriolis effect influences objects moving within Earth's atmosphere due to Earth's rotation. The space station orbits outside the atmosphere, so it is not affected by the Coriolis effect.

Question 12

The interior of the North Pacific Gyre has collected vast quantities of floating plastic garbage and chemical sludge referred to as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. What impacts might this phenomenon have on the overall health of the ocean?

Accepted Answer

All of the answer choices are true. The floating plastic in the North Pacific Gyre could become a part of the food web as marine organisms ingest microplastics, which could eventually be consumed by humans. The garbage patch is also difficult to clean up due to its vast size and dispersed location. Additionally, consumers might mistake the plastic debris for food and ingest it, which could be harmful to their health.

Question 13

In the figure below, which letters represent the crest and trough?

Accepted Answer

In a wave, the highest point is called the crest and the lowest point is called the trough. In the given figure, the points C and D are the highest and lowest points respectively, hence they represent the crest and trough. Point A and B are the points halfway between the crest and the trough, which are called the equilibrium position. Point E is also a high point, but not as high as point C, hence it cannot represent the crest. Point E is also not the lowest point, hence it cannot represent the trough. Therefore, the correct choice is C) C and D.

Question 14

Imagine a person is sailing across the Pacific Ocean and the deck of the boat is suddenly swamped by a wave twice as high as the waves have been during this entire journey. They have encountered a ____________wave.

Accepted Answer

The description of a wave that is twice as high as the others and comes unexpectedly would suggest a rogue wave, which are rare but not unheard of in the open ocean. A tsunami is a series of waves caused by an earthquake, while a swell is a regular and predictable increase in wave height due to wind patterns. A seismic wave is a wave that travels through the ground, not water.

Question 15

Where do the deep ocean currents rise to the surface?

Accepted Answer

Deep ocean currents rise to the surface at the equator due to the Coriolis effect and changes in water density. As deep water moves towards the equator, it is deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This causes the water to upwell towards the surface, bringing nutrients and supporting marine life.

Question 16

What are the major surface currents on Earth that display a circlelike path and follow the ocean basin margins?

Accepted Answer

The major surface currents on Earth that follow a circlelike path and follow the ocean basin margins are known as gyres. These are large systems of rotating ocean currents, with swirling patterns that form due to the Earth's rotation and the presence of the continents. There are five major gyres on Earth: the North Atlantic gyre, the South Atlantic gyre, the North Pacific gyre, the South Pacific gyre, and the Indian Ocean gyre.

Question 17

Waves are created by

Accepted Answer

Waves are primarily created by wind blowing across the surface of bodies of water. While tides and the gravitational pull of the Moon do have some influence on wave activity, wind is the main factor in generating waves. The crust does not directly create waves.

Question 18

Why are waves larger during storms?

Accepted Answer

During storms, wind speeds are increased which creates more shear. This increased shear generates larger waves.

Question 19

Using the figure below, identify the photic zone, the aphotic zone, and the benthic zone.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using the figure below, identify the photic...

Question 20

The Ekman transport causes a slow drift of water to the center of the ocean. As a result of this converging flow, sea level in the center of the ocean becomes slightly __________ than at the ocean's margins.

Accepted Answer

The converging flow caused by Ekman transport results in a pile-up of water in the center of the ocean, thereby causing sea level to rise slightly higher than at the ocean's margins. Therefore, the best choice is A) higher.

Quiz 15: Ocean Waters: the Blue of the Blue Marble