Oceanography Quiz 1/22/26

Outgassing

The release of trapped gases from solids to liquids, often triggered by temperature or pressure changes

Mantle

Thick layer of silicate rock between the Earth's Crust and Outer Core

Sediment

Any naturally occuring material like sand, silt, clay, or organic matter

Atmospheric Pressure at Sea Level

1,1013.25 millibars (mb) or 1,013.25 hectopascals (hPa) or 14.7 psi

Density

Mass per unit volume (how much stuff is in a space)

Phytoplankton

Microscopic, plant-like organisms (algae, bacteria)

Zooplankton

Tiny, drifting animals in water (oceans, lakes, and rivers) that cannot swim against currents

Surface Zone

Uppermost layer of the Ocean, extending from the surface down to 660 feet (aka. the Epipelagic Zone)

Mixed Zone

Turbulent, sun-warmed surface layers where wind and waves thoroughly blend temperature, salinity, and density, which creates near uniform conditions

Deep Zone

Ocean depths below The Twilight Zone (1,000 meters, 3,280.84 feet)

Thermocline

Distinct ocean layer where water temperature drops rapidly with increasing depth

Gyres

Large system of rotating ocean currents (like massive whirlpools)

Coriolis Effect

Apparent deflection of moving objects like air or water

Riptide

Strong, narrow channel of water flowing rapidly AWAY from shore

Upwelling

Oceanographic process where deep, cold nutrient-rich water rises up to the surface, replacing warmer, nutrient poor surface water

Spring Tide

Period of EXTREME tides, which EXCEPTIONALLY high high and low low tides

Neap Tide

Period of MODERATE tides. occuring 2x/Per Month, when the Sun, Moon, and Earth form the right angles

Pelagic Zone

Vast, open-water area of the Ocean, encompassing the ENTIRE water column AWAY from the shore and the seafloor.

Benthic Zone

Ecological region at the bottom of any body of water

Mid Ocean Ridge

Earth's LONGEST UNDERWATER Mountain Range

Subduction Zone

Where two tectonic plates collide (The DENSER plate UNDER the LIGHTER one)

Cetacean

A marine mammal of the order Cetacea (A Whale, Dolphin, or a Porpoise)