Ocean Currents, Gyres, and Latitude/Longitude Key Concepts

Compare and contrast meridians and parallels

Meridians are up & down (Longitude), and Parallels are side to side (Latitude)

Identify the equator in the prime meridian

How is longitude different from meridians?

Longitude is a measurement of distance east or west, while a meridian is the line used for that measurement

How is latitude different from parallels?

Latitude is a measurement of distance north or south of the equator, while parallels are the imaginary east-west lines used to mark these distances.

How are gyres different from surface currents?

A gyre is a large, circular system of ocean currents, while a surface current is one of the individual streams of water that make up that system.

How do scientists use floats to help them understand ocean currents better? What are some examples?

Scientists use floats to track ocean currents by letting them drift with the water, while the floats collect and send data on things like temperature and salinity (

What are the five major gyres found in the world's oceans?

North Atlantic, South Atlantic, North Pacific, South Pacific, and Indian Ocean

If only 20% of Plastics in the ocean come from cargo lost scene, where does the rest come from? Do we have part in this, too?

The other 20-30% is from sea-based sources, such as discarded nets, ropes, and buoys from commercial fishing and shipping. We do have a part in this.

What are three problems with ghost Nets?

- Drown and kill animals

- Destroy coral reefs

- They are huge, so it's hard to get rid of them

What are nurdles?

small plastic pellets (Tiny bits of plastic)

What does it mean that Benjamin Franklin realized that the Atlantic Ocean was "a virtual River in the middle of the sea?"

A powerful, consistent current of water, known as the Gulf Stream, flows through the surrounding ocean much like a river flows through a landscape

What brand of "jetsam" started Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer's current trend in studies?

Nike

What country did Dr. Curtis Ebbesmeyer's ship start in

Hong Kong

What is the specific latitude and longitude that identifies where Hansa carrier lost its cargo?

48 degrees north latitude and 161 degrees west longitude (48° N, 161° W).

What would be the location of the river as it crosses the Alaska / Canada border?

141° W meridian

How does W. James Ingraham, Jr. (Jim) estimate surface current movement in the Northern Pacific Ocean?

Daily weather measurements

Why is it helpful to understand that there is a degree of variability in the currents from year to year

It helps people in the fishing industry locate fish populations, as their migration routes shift with the changing currents.

Where are the five major gyres found?

Subtropical regions of the world's major oceans

How are the five gyres different from surface currents?

All major gyres are systems made up of surface currents, but not all surface currents are part of a major gyre.

The location of the toy spill was 45N, 178E. How did this compare to the sneaker spill?

Both spills happened in the North Pacific Ocean.

Why were the tub toys able to travel faster than the sneakers?

Both items drift with surface currents, but tub toys float higher and catch the wind. The wind pushes the toys to travel faster than the current speed alone.