Question 1

The North Atlantic gyre is composed of the Gulf Stream, the North Atlantic Current, the Canary Current and the North Equatorial Current.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

England's weather is ____ than would be expected at that latitude because of the influence of surface currents.

Accepted Answer

A)   colder
B)   drier
C)   less humid
D)   warmer and wetterE) A) and B)
F) All of the above

Question 3

Geostrophic currents are primarily wind driven.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Which of these is generally not an El Niño effect?

Accepted Answer

A)   A decline in the exotic species of fish and other forms of marine life in the affected waters.
B)   An increase in ocean surface temperature in the eastern Pacific.
C)   An increase in rainfall in west coastal countries or states of the American continents.
D)   An often catastrophic decrease in the commercial fisheries of the affected countries.E) B) and C)
F) B) and D)

Question 5

Ocean gyres are asymmetrical because of the Coriolis effect.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

The Earth's rotation influences currents by a "force" known as:

Accepted Answer

A)   Ekman spiral.
B)   geostrophism.
C)   gyre counter rotation.
D)   Coriolis effect.E) All of the above
F) A) and D)

Question 7

A sverdrup (sv)  is a measure of:

Accepted Answer

A)   wind speed.
B)   current speed and direction.
C)   the volume of water transported in an ocean current.
D)   the amount of heat transferred to water from the sun.E) None of the above
F) All of the above C

Question 8

A system of four currents completing a flow circuit around the periphery of an ocean basin is collectively called:

Accepted Answer

A)   a cell.
B)   a gyre.
C)   a microscale current.
D)   convection cells.E) C) and D)
F) B) and C)

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT an eastern boundary current?

Accepted Answer

A)   Canary Current
B)   Benguela Current
C)   Gulf Stream
D)   West Australian CurrentE) None of the above
F) B) and D)

Question 10

The largest of the western boundary currents is the:

Accepted Answer

A)   Gulf Stream.
B)   California Current.
C)   East Pacific Gyre.
D)   Canary Current.E) A) and C)
F) None of the above

Question 11

El Niño results due to an interruption of flow of the ____ Current in the Pacific.

Accepted Answer

A)   Kuroshio
B)   Equatorial
C)   Canary
D)   Antarctic CircumpolarE) A) and D)
F) None of the above

Question 12

All of the following statements accurately describe Geostrophic gyres EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

A)   One of the 6 gyres is the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.
B)   Gyres are influenced by the Coriolis effect and the position of continental land masses.
C)   Gyres are formed by surface currents that flow in a continuous circuit around the 5 major basins.
D)   Sea level is higher in the middle of the gyre as a result of the pressure gradient and the Coriolis Effect.E) A) and D)
F) C) and D)

Question 13

The only ocean current that continues in an uninterrupted circle around the circumference of the Earth without encountering land is the:

Accepted Answer

A)   Gulf Stream.
B)   Kuroshio, or Japan, Current.
C)   Antarctic Circumpolar Current.
D)   Canary Current.E) All of the above
F) C) and D)

Question 14

San Francisco's characteristic cold and foggy weather is caused by a:

Accepted Answer

A)   cold eastern boundary current.
B)   warm eastern boundary current.
C)   cold western boundary current.
D)   warm western boundary current.E) A) and D)
F) C) and D)

Question 15

One example of horizontal water movement is called downwelling.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

The densest water in ocean currents is the:

Accepted Answer

A)   warmest and saltiest.
B)   coldest and saltiest.
C)   warmest and freshest.
D)   coldest and freshest.E) B) and C)
F) A) and D) B

Question 17

Which of the following statements is FALSE considering thermohaline circulation?

Accepted Answer

A)   Thermohaline circulation is caused by even and steady global heating of the ocean.
B)   Thermohaline circulation is the result of heating of the ocean at lower latitudes and cooling at high latitudes.
C)   Thermohaline circulation is driven by density gradients.
D)   Thermohaline circulation transports tropical waters to polar regions.E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 18

Surface winds move across most of the tropical Pacific in a _____________ direction.

Accepted Answer

A)   northeast
B)   west to east
C)   east to west
D)   northwestE) B) and D)
F) A) and B)

Question 19

North Atlantic Deep Water generally moves ____ than the surface currents above, and flows in ____ direction as the Gulf Stream.

Accepted Answer

A)   faster; the same
B)   faster; the opposite
C)   slower; the same
D)   slower; the oppositeE) B) and D)
F) All of the above

Question 20

What is upwelling and why is it important for biological productivity?

Accepted Answer

As winds pull the water in horizontal movement, this surface movement will induce vertical movement. As persistent winds blow off the across the ocean, surface winds divert surface waters and are hence replaced by colder waters moving up towards the surface. This phenomenon is called wind-induced vertical circulation and results in upwelling. The colder waters brought to the photic zone by upwelling are rich in nutrients and these nutrients are necessary for biological production or photosynthesis.

Exam 8: Ocean Circulation

The North Atlantic gyre is composed of the Gulf Stream, the North Atlantic Current, the Canary Current and the North Equatorial Current.

Correct Answer
verified

England's weather is ____ than would be expected at that latitude because of the influence of surface currents.

Correct Answer
verified

Geostrophic currents are primarily wind driven.

Correct Answer
verified

Which of these is generally not an El Niño effect?

Correct Answer
verified

Ocean gyres are asymmetrical because of the Coriolis effect.

Correct Answer
verified

The Earth's rotation influences currents by a "force" known as:

Correct Answer
verified

A sverdrup (sv) is a measure of:

Correct Answer
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C

A system of four currents completing a flow circuit around the periphery of an ocean basin is collectively called:

Correct Answer
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Which of the following is NOT an eastern boundary current?

Correct Answer
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The largest of the western boundary currents is the:

Correct Answer
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El Niño results due to an interruption of flow of the ____ Current in the Pacific.

Correct Answer
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All of the following statements accurately describe Geostrophic gyres EXCEPT:

Correct Answer
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The only ocean current that continues in an uninterrupted circle around the circumference of the Earth without encountering land is the:

Correct Answer
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San Francisco's characteristic cold and foggy weather is caused by a:

Correct Answer
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One example of horizontal water movement is called downwelling.

Correct Answer
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The densest water in ocean currents is the:

Correct Answer
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B

Which of the following statements is FALSE considering thermohaline circulation?

Correct Answer
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Surface winds move across most of the tropical Pacific in a _____________ direction.

Correct Answer
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North Atlantic Deep Water generally moves than the surface currents above, and flows in direction as the Gulf Stream.

Correct Answer
verified

What is upwelling and why is it important for biological productivity?

Exam 8: Ocean Circulation

The North Atlantic gyre is composed of the Gulf Stream, the North Atlantic Current, the Canary Current and the North Equatorial Current.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

England's weather is ____ than would be expected at that latitude because of the influence of surface currents.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Geostrophic currents are primarily wind driven.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of these is generally not an El Niño effect?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Ocean gyres are asymmetrical because of the Coriolis effect.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Earth's rotation influences currents by a "force" known as:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A sverdrup (sv) is a measure of:

Correct AnswerverifiedC

A system of four currents completing a flow circuit around the periphery of an ocean basin is collectively called:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is NOT an eastern boundary current?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The largest of the western boundary currents is the:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

El Niño results due to an interruption of flow of the ____ Current in the Pacific.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

All of the following statements accurately describe Geostrophic gyres EXCEPT:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The only ocean current that continues in an uninterrupted circle around the circumference of the Earth without encountering land is the:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

San Francisco's characteristic cold and foggy weather is caused by a:

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

One example of horizontal water movement is called downwelling.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The densest water in ocean currents is the:

Correct AnswerverifiedB

Which of the following statements is FALSE considering thermohaline circulation?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Surface winds move across most of the tropical Pacific in a _____________ direction.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

North Atlantic Deep Water generally moves ____ than the surface currents above, and flows in ____ direction as the Gulf Stream.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is upwelling and why is it important for biological productivity?

Correct Answer
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C

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B

Correct Answer
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North Atlantic Deep Water generally moves than the surface currents above, and flows in direction as the Gulf Stream.

Correct Answer
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