Untitled Flashcards Set

Mixed Layer Zone

The warmest ocean layer with the most sunlight, supporting the highest concentration of phytoplankton.

Thermocline Zone

A transition layer where temperature decreases rapidly from about 22°C at the top to 6°C at the bottom.

Deep Water Zone

The coldest and darkest layer of the ocean, with temperatures ranging from 6°C to 2°C.

Continental Slope

The steep edge of a continental landmass where upwelling commonly occurs.

Seamounts

Underwater volcanic mountains that have not reached the ocean surface.

Abyssal Plain

A flat and deep region of the ocean floor, largely featureless and covered in sediment.

Mid-Ocean Ridge

A chain of volcanic mountains formed by divergent tectonic plates.

Volcanic Islands

Islands formed from volcanic activity, typically at convergent subduction zones or over hot spots.

Continental Shelf

The shallow, submerged extension of a continent.

Trench

A deep ocean depression formed at convergent subduction boundaries, marking the deepest parts of the ocean.

Seafloor Spreading

Occurs at divergent plate boundaries, where magma rises to create new oceanic crust.

Older Oceanic Crust

Found farther from the mid-ocean ridge in the context of seafloor spreading.

Ocean Salinity

Typical ocean salinity ranges from 33-37 ppt (parts per thousand).

Primary Sources of Oceanic Salts

Include volcanic eruptions and river runoff.

Dominant Components in Ocean Salinity

Sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-), forming sodium chloride (NaCl) or table salt.

Surface Currents

Driven by global winds; warm currents transport heat from the equator to the poles.

Deep Ocean Currents

Driven by density differences due to variations in temperature and salinity.

Thermohaline Circulation

Also called the Global Conveyor Belt, linking surface and deep currents worldwide.

Upwelling

Occurs when deep, cold, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface, enhancing marine life.

El Niño

An irregular climate event that warms the Pacific Ocean and disrupts weather patterns.

La Niña

The opposite of El Niño, strengthening trade winds and increasing upwelling.

Sea Breeze

During daytime, land heats faster than the ocean, causing warm air to rise over land.

Land Breeze

At nighttime, land cools faster than the ocean, causing cooler air from land to move out to sea.

Phytoplankton

Microscopic marine organisms crucial for ecosystems, primarily found in the Mixed Layer Zone.

Temperature Gradient in Thermocline Zone

Temperature decreases from about 22°C at the top to approximately 6°C at the bottom.

Darkness of Deep Water Zone

No sunlight reaches this zone, making it the coldest and darkest layer.

Continental Shelf Characteristics

Submerged extension of a continent that is shallower than the continental slope.

Formation of Seamounts

Underwater volcanic activity that has not reached the ocean surface.

Characteristics of Abyssal Plain

Flat, deep region of the ocean floor, largely sediment-covered and featureless.

Mid-Ocean Ridge Process

Formed by divergent tectonic plates generating volcanic mountain chains.

Characteristics of Ocean Trench

Deep ocean depressions marking the lowest points on Earth, formed at subduction boundaries.

Mechanism of Seafloor Spreading

New oceanic crust is created by rising magma at divergent plate boundaries.

Locating Older Oceanic Crust

Older crust is typically found further from the mid-ocean ridge.

Connection of Seafloor Rocks

Records Earth’s magnetic field reversals during seafloor spreading.

Oceanic Salinity Range

Typical salinity of oceans measured between 33-37 parts per thousand.

Salinity Components

Sodium and chloride make up the dominant components of ocean salinity.

Characteristics of Surface Currents

Currents driven by wind that transfer heat across the ocean.

Impact of Deep Ocean Currents

Influenced by density differences due to temperature and salinity variations.

Role of Thermohaline Circulation

Links surface and deep ocean currents, known as the Global Conveyor Belt.

Function of Upwelling

Rises cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface, promoting marine biodiversity.

El Niño Effects

Warms the Pacific, disrupts weather patterns, and halts upwelling near South America.

La Niña Effects

Strengthens trade winds, enhances upwelling, and results in colder ocean temperatures.

Daytime Sea Breeze Mechanism

Warmer land air rises, causing cool ocean air to flow in.

Nighttime Land Breeze Mechanism

Cooler land air moves toward the warmer ocean after land cools.