OCEANS STUDY GUIDE AND CHECKLIST
NAME ______________________
Here is what you need to do to prepare for the test:
1) Study the old quizzes.
2) Fill out the matching for the geo-words below:
3) Discuss the questions below regarding the Main Concepts with your lab partners:
1) _______thermocline
2) _______pycnocline
3) _______oceanographer
4) _______Coriolis effect
5) _______Hadley Cell
6) _______wind
7) _______air current
8) _______trade winds
9) _______westerlies
10) _______polar easterlies
11) _______doldrums
12) _______salinity
13) _______gyre
14) _______upwelling
15) _______surface ocean currents
16) _______Gulf Stream
17) _______California stream
18) _______ocean conveyor
19) _______thermohaline current
20) _______El Nino
21) _______Southern Oscillation
22) _______Walker Circulation Cell
23) _______La Nina
24) _______weather
25) _______climate
26) _______ meteorologist
27) _______climatologist
28 _______ anomalies
29) _______isotherm
30) _______precipitation
31) _______phytoplankton
32) _______zooplankton
A. circular motion of ocean water due to winds
B. scientist who studies the weather
C. scientist who studies the climate
D. microscopic plants living in the ocean
E. rainfall, snowfall, hail..
F. microscopic animals living in the ocean
G. reversal in air pressure in the equatorial Pacific
H. zone of rapid change in ocean temperature with depth
I. area in the tropics with no steady winds
J. curving of the winds due to the earth’s rotation
K. irregularities
L. lateral air convection current in the equatorial Pacific
M. prevailing winds in North America
N. “normal” climate and ocean conditions in the Pacific
O. zone of rapid change in ocean density with depth
P. salt concentration of water
Q. scientist who studies the ocean
R. prevailing winds in the polar regions
S. vertical motion of air columns
T. circulation cell between the equatorial low and subtropical high
U. colder water from the bottom flowing upwards
V. movement of air from high pressure to low pressure areas
W. current controlled by temperature and salinity
X. warm surface current on the east coast of America
Y. a line that connects areas with similar temperatures
Z. tropical easterlies
a. currents controlled mostly by the winds and Coriolis force
b. climate phenomenon where the trade winds reverse direction
c. deep ocean current regulated by water density
d. long-term atmospheric conditions
e. short-term daily atmospheric conditions
f. cold surface current on the west coast of North America
MAIN CONCEPTS:
1) Activity 1(# 111 in binder): In which direction does the earth rotate?
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2) # 112 in binder: What causes wind?
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3) # 112 in binder: What air mass has a higher pressure – cool or warm air?
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4) # 112 in binder: Draw a convection cell.
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5) # 113 in binder: In the space below, draw the global wind patterns. Include all arrows and label
all winds, including the Hadley Circulation Cell.
6) Activity 3 (# 121): How do the global wind patterns and the Coriolis force affect the surface
ocean currents? Explain how the gyres rotate in the different hemispheres.
7) Activity 3 (# 121): In which direction does the warmer water tend to flow? Towards or away
from the equator? What about the cooler water currents?
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8) Activity 2 (# 117): What two factors control the circulation of the deep ocean current?
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9) Activity 2 (# 117): Why is the ocean conveyor so important in regulating the climate of the
earth?
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10) Activity 4 (# 123):What is the difference between El Nino and La Nina?
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11) Activity 4 (# 123): Explain El Nino in terms of wind direction and water movement.
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13) Activity 5 (#124): How is North America affected by El Nino?
14) # 123: What type of data does the satellite TOPEX/Poseidon provide?
15) Activity 5 (# 124): How does El Nino affect Colorado?
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16) Activity 6 (# 125): Explain the relationship between El Nino, cold water upwelling,
phytoplankton, and the fishing industry in Peru.
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