Week 7 - Ocean Circulation & Ocean

One of the most severe El Niño events on record began in what year?

1997

The California current carries ___ water ___.

cold; equatorward

In general, along the west coasts of continents there is an ocean current that is:

cool and moving toward the equator.

The Southern Oscillation refers to a change in surface pressure over the south Atlantic Ocean. T or F

False

During an El Niño event, the water temperatures in the eastern Pacific rise near the coast of Peru and Chile. T or F

True

El Niño has no measurable impacts on weather in the United States. T or F

False

Cold currents offshore result in a moist climate.

False

The primary force causing ocean currents is:

the major winds.

The Southern Oscillation:

is a cycle of strengthening and reversing trade winds in the equatorial Pacific.

Fish populations off the coast of South America bloom when upwelling is present. T or F

True

_______ are broad circular patterns of major surface ocean currents produced by large subtropical high-pressure systems.

Gyres

The Southern Oscillation is an example of a ________, in which weather or sea surface temperatures in one part of the globe impact weather patterns in distant parts of the globe.

teleconnection

Which current is responsible for transporting heat across the north Atlantic and moderating the climate of Western Europe?

The North Atlantic Drift

Poleward-moving ocean currents carry ___ water.

warm

Cold water rising from deep in the ocean to replace warmer water at the surface is called ________.

upwelling

The Southern Oscillation:

is a cycle of strengthening and reversing trade winds in the equatorial Pacific.

does not have the ability to drastically alter climate, and is of little concern.

is another name for a La Nina event.

is more important to weather in the United States than anywhere else in the world.

is a cycle of strengthening and reversing trade winds in the equatorial Pacific.