Climate Change and Ocean Currents

A set of flashcards summarizing key concepts related to climate change, ocean currents, and meteorological effects.

How does warming global temperatures lead to a positive feedback loop in regard to the albedo effect?

Warmer temperatures melt ice, reducing Earth's albedo, leading to more solar energy absorption, increased temperatures, and accelerated ice melt.

What is geoengineering and what are its two main categories?

Geoengineering refers to large-scale interventions to combat climate change, with two categories: Solar Radiation Management (SRM) and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR).

Give an example of Solar Radiation Management and its problem.

Stratospheric Aerosol Injection, which could disrupt rainfall patterns.

Why is CO₂ considered a greenhouse gas?

Because it absorbs infrared radiation, trapping heat in Earth's atmosphere.

What are stronger greenhouse gases than CO₂?

Methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) are stronger, but CO₂ is more abundant and persists longer.

What is the Coriolis Effect?

The deflection of moving objects due to Earth's rotation, affecting ocean currents and winds.

Why don't hurricanes form at the equator?

The Coriolis Effect is too weak to provide rotation for hurricanes at the equator.

What are the main ingredients for hurricane formation?

Warm ocean water (≥26.5°C), moist air, and low wind shear.

What causes ocean gyres to rotate?

The Coriolis Effect, wind patterns (trade winds & westerlies), and continental boundaries.

How do warm-core and cold-core eddies differ?

Warm-core eddies trap warm water and rotate clockwise; cold-core eddies bring nutrients up through counterclockwise rotation.

What is the role of Langmuir circulation in ocean surfaces?

It creates lines of debris and foam in areas of convergence where downwelling occurs.

What are the two methods for tidal energy?

Tidal barrages and underwater turbines.

How do ambush predators utilize tidal flows?

They wait in areas where tidal currents direct prey towards them.

What happens to tidal currents during neap and spring tides?

Spring tides have faster currents, while currents are weakest at high and low tides.

How does upwelling occur in California compared to Myrtle Beach?

California experiences upwelling due to offshore movement of surface water; Myrtle Beach has downwelling due to warm surface water moving towards shore.

What does the presence of a sandbar indicate about wave patterns?

It suggests multiple break zones where waves break early and reform before breaking again closer to shore.

Where do the largest ocean waves occur and why?

In the Southern Ocean, due to strong winds and uninterrupted fetch.

What methods can be used to track ocean currents?

Drifters, Doppler Radar, satellites, and moorings, each with respective pros and cons.