7.00 Oceans

Ocean Interaction

The relationship between ocean and Earth's spheres.

Sand Formation

Origin of sand from geological processes.

Erosion

Breakdown and transport of rocks by natural forces.

Sediment

Particles deposited on beaches by ocean currents.

Beach Nourishment

Process of restoring eroded beach areas.

Wave Action

Movement of water that causes beach erosion.

Coral Reefs

Structures providing habitat and food in oceans.

Coral Bleaching

Loss of color in corals due to stress.

Intertidal Zones

Areas where ocean meets land, affected by tides.

Deep Water Organisms

Species adapted to survive in dark ocean depths.

Biosphere Diversity

Variety of life crucial for ecosystems and humans.

Ocean Life

Organisms that regulate vital Earth processes.

Beach Recreation

Activities enjoyed on beaches, boosting local economies.

Hurricanes

Tropical cyclones causing severe coastal damage.

Climate Regulation

Oceans influence Earth's climate and temperature.

Global Warming

Increase in Earth's temperatures affecting oceans.

Ocean Mining

Extraction of minerals and resources from oceans.

Oil Deposits

Potentially hazardous resources found on ocean floors.

Phytoplankton

Microorganisms producing oxygen through photosynthesis.

Ocean Salt

Mineral extracted from seawater through evaporation.

Sea Surface Temperature

Temperature of ocean's surface affecting climate.

Coastal Regions

Areas where land meets ocean, vital for life.

Economic Activities

Jobs and industries reliant on ocean resources.

Marine Ecosystem

Community of organisms interacting in ocean environments.

Ocean Currents

Movement of ocean water driven by various forces.

Message in a Bottle

A method of communication using ocean currents.

Longest Message Record

Longest bottle message stayed at sea: 92 years.

RMS Titanic

Sank in 1912, discovered in 1985.

Ocean Circulation

Movement distributing nutrients and energy globally.

Upwelling

Nutrient-rich water rising to the ocean surface.

Weather Patterns

Changes influenced by ocean water temperature.

Sea Surface Temperature (SST)

Maps created using ocean temperature data.

Hurricane Activity

Increased by warmer ocean waters, peaking in September.

Water Density

Influenced by temperature and salinity, affects movement.

Cold Water Sinking

Denser cold water typically sinks in oceans.

Coriolis Effect

Deflection of winds due to Earth's rotation.

Trade Winds

Predominant winds near the equator, between 0-30° latitude.

Gyre

Large circular ocean current systems.

Garbage Patches

Accumulation of trash in ocean current loops.

Land Breeze

Wind blowing from land to ocean at night.

Sea Breeze

Wind blowing from ocean to land during the day.

El Niño

Warm water shift in the Pacific affecting climate.

La Niña

Unusually cold ocean temperatures in the Pacific.

Rip Currents

Dangerous coastal currents threatening swimmers.

Nutrient Transport

Ocean currents distribute nutrients, enhancing biodiversity.

Ocean Heat Capacity

Water absorbs heat without significant temperature change.

Ocean Moderation

Ocean reduces temperature variation near coastal areas.

Surface Currents

Driven by wind, affecting coastal and open waters.

Ocean Coverage

Water covers 71% of Earth's surface.

Ocean Composition

97% of Earth's water is in oceans.

Ocean Basins

Divided by landmasses into distinct areas.

Five Oceans

Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic, Southern, Indian Oceans.

Atlantic Ocean

Separates Americas from Europe and Africa.

Pacific Ocean

Largest ocean, separates Americas from Asia.

Arctic Ocean

Located at Earth's northern pole.

Southern Ocean

Surrounds Antarctica at the southern pole.

Indian Ocean

Separates Africa and Australia in Southern Hemisphere.

Ocean Importance

Crucial for all life on Earth.

Ocean Exploration

Less than 5% of the ocean is explored.

Water Cycle

Continuous movement of water on Earth.

Ocean Floor Composition

Thin layer of rocks from volcanic activity.

Ocean Formation

Driven by geological processes over time.

Lithospheric Plates

Giant segments of crust moved by convection currents.

Mid-Ocean Ridges

Form new oceanic crust in Atlantic Ocean.

Subduction Zones

Where oceanic crust is broken down.

Salinity Definition

Concentration of salt in ocean water.

Salinity Average

Ocean water salinity is about 3.5%.

Evaporation Effect

High evaporation increases ocean salinity.

Temperature Zones

Surface, thermocline, and deep water layers.

Thermohaline Circulation

Drives water movement from shallow to deep.

Continental Shelf

Landmass surface where ocean meets shoreline.

Ocean Trench

Deep portion formed during subduction.

Hydrothermal Vents

Discovered by Alvin submersible in 1979.

Waves

Periodic disturbances transferring energy through mediums.

Wavelength

Distance between successive crests or troughs.

Frequency

Rate of crests or troughs passing a point.

Equilibrium

Midpoint between successive trough and crest.

Amplitude

Height from equilibrium to crest or trough.

Surface Waves

Waves caused by wind transferring energy to water.

Fetch

Distance over water where wind blows.

Wave Height

Vertical distance from trough to crest.

Storm Surge

Water pushed inland by strong winds.

Tsunami

Long waves from Earth's crust movements.

Plunging Breakers

Waves forming hollow curves on moderate slopes.

Spilling Breakers

Waves rolling over on gentle slopes.

Surging Breakers

Waves moving ashore without breaking.

Beach Erosion

Waves creating sediments and affecting shorelines.

Wave Energy Transfer

Energy movement from atmosphere to hydrosphere.

Sea Cliff

Rock wall formed by wave erosion.

Sea Stack

Isolated rock island surrounded by water.

Sea Cave

Cave carved by wave action on rock.

Sea Arch

Hollowed rock archway formed by waves.

Barrier Island

Sand deposit near a shoreline creating land.

Beach

Area where sand and sediments accumulate.

Sandbar

Elongated sand area separated from mainland.

Wave Movement

Energy flows beneath surfers, allowing floating.

Hurricane Dennis

2005 storm causing 7-9 feet storm surge.

Tides

Water level changes caused by gravitational interactions.

Newton's Law of Gravitation

Explains gravity's dependence on mass and distance.

Tidal Bulges

Higher water levels created by gravitational pull.