Deck 6: Atmosphere-Ocean-Cryosphere Interactions

Question 1

In the Northern Hemisphere,cold currents tend to flow from the ________.In the Southern Hemisphere,warm currents tend to flow from the ________.

A)south; south
B)north; north
C)south; north
D)north; south

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Which of the following locations best represents the Ekman spiral current?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Answer 2

D

Question 3

In the Northern Hemisphere,warm currents tend to flow from the ________.In the Southern Hemisphere,cold currents tend to flow from the ________.

A)south; south
B)north; north
C)south; north
D)north; south

Answer 3

A

Question 4

At what point on the graph does the density of water begin to decrease? ________ The temperature at this point is ________°C.

A)A; -4°C
B)B; 0°C
C)C; 0°C (but higher density)
D)D; 4°C

Question 5

Which of the following shows the location of the Gulf Stream?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 6

The air above this current is characterized by extremely strong pressure gradients and relative lack of land interruptions that induce extremely strong westerly winds.

A)California Current
B)Gulf Stream
C)Antarctic Circumpolar Current
D)North Equatorial Current

Question 7

Once salt is dissolved in water,the

A)negatively charged sodium cation is surrounded by the negative side of encircling water molecules.
B)positively charged sodium cation is surrounded by the negative side of encircling water molecules.
C)positively charged sodium cation is surrounded by the positive side of encircling water molecules.
D)positively charged chlorine cation is surrounded by the positive side of encircling water molecules.

Question 8

Which of the following locations represents the null point in regard to ocean currents?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 9

Which of the following statements about water is true?

A)At temperatures above 4°C,warmer water will rise.
B)At temperatures above 4°C,warmer water will sink.
C)At temperatures between 0°C and 4°C,warmer water will rise.
D)At temperatures below 0°C,warmer water will sink.

Question 10

All of the following are cold currents except for the

A)North Equatorial Current.
B)Humbolt Current.
C)California Current.
D)Benguela Current.

Question 11

Hydrogen bonds in water form between the

A)oxygen atom of one water molecule and the sodium atom of a salt molecule.
B)oxygen atom of one water molecule and the oxygen atom of another water molecule.
C)hydrogen atom of one water molecule and the oxygen atom of another water molecule.
D)hydrogen atom of one water molecule and the hydrogen atom of another water molecule.

Question 12

Which of the following shows the location of the Humbolt Current?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 13

As a result of cold currents,July SST's are coldest

A)along the equator.
B)along the axis of the Atlantic Ocean.
C)on the east coasts of continents.
D)on the west coasts of continents.

Question 14

Sea surface temperatures (SSTs)are warmest

A)where oceans are deepest,allowing for sufficient mixing.
B)along the equator where the sun's rays are most direct.
C)at the subtropics because descending air promotes clear skies.
D)at the poles where long days during the summer warm the water.

Question 15

Where on the map is the center of high pressure influencing ocean currents with a counterclockwise circulation?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 16

All of the following are warm currents except for the

A)South Equatorial Current.
B)Canary Current.
C)Gulf Stream.
D)North Atlantic Drift.

Question 17

Sea surface temperatures (SSTs)are typically warmest

A)on the western sides of oceans.
B)eastern side of oceans.
C)north of the Tropics in both hemispheres.
D)along the axis of the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Oceans.

Question 18

In regard to sea surface temperature (SST),as one travels toward the poles SST

A)increases.
B)decreases.
C)remains constant.
D)decreases and then increases.

Question 19

All of the following impact sea surface temperature (SST)except

A)Increasing SST with decreasing latitude in both hemispheres.
B)currents moving cold water away from poles on the western sides of oceans.
C)upwelling that brings cold,deep water to the surface influencing the SST.
D)currents moving warm water away from equator on the western sides of oceans.

Question 20

With height,wind speed in the atmosphere would ________.With depth,the effect of wind on the water column would ________.

A)increase; decrease
B)increase; increase
C)decrease; decrease
D)decrease; increase

Question 21

Which of the following locations is associated with a zone of upwelling for the Antarctic bottom waters (AABW)?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 22

The distribution of warm pools can best be explained by warm

A)westward flowing water accumulating on the western side of landmasses.
B)eastward flowing water accumulating on the western side of landmasses.
C)eastward flowing water accumulating on the eastern side of landmasses.
D)westward flowing water accumulating on the eastern side of landmasses.

Question 23

Which of the following letters best represents a location where sinking air in a Walker cell is most typical?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 24

In polar areas,

A)as ice melts,water's salinity increases and density decreases.
B)as ice forms,water's salinity decreases and density increases.
C)as ice forms,water's salinity increases and density increases.
D)as ice melts,water's salinity increases and density increases.

Question 25

Warm oceanic pools form in areas of

A)rising,unstable air where much latent heat is released.
B)descending,stable air where much latent heat is released.
C)warm water is forced to the surface due to upwelling.
D)thermoclines near the surface when the sun is closer to the earth.

Question 26

Which of the following locations is associated with sinking of cold saline waters forming the North Atlantic deep waters (NADW)?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 27

Which of the following conditions would most cause water to rise to the surface?

A)Warming freshwater
B)Cooling freshwater
C)Cooling saltwater
D)Warming saltwater

Question 28

The world's largest warm pool is located at

A)A.
B)B.
C)C.
D)D.

Question 29

All of the following factors would contribute to water to sinking at the poles except

A)lack of atmospheric water vapor.
B)absence of clouds.
C)formation of brine.
D)melting ice.

Question 30

Midlatitude waters are generally fresher than polar or subtropical zones because

A)more evaporation,more frontal precipitation.
B)more evaporation,less frontal precipitation.
C)less evaporation,less frontal precipitation.
D)less evaporation,more frontal precipitation.

Question 31

A cross section of the ocean from its surface to the seafloor shows

A)less dense,colder water overlying less dense,warmer water.
B)more dense,warm water overlying less dense,colder water.
C)less dense,warmer water overlying denser,colder water.
D)more dense,warmer water overlying denser,colder water.

Question 32

Subtropical waters are typically more saline than equatorial waters because of

A)low evaporation,high precipitation.
B)low evaporation,low precipitation.
C)high evaporation,low precipitation.
D)high evaporation,high precipitation.

Question 33

Where on the following world map are the highest salinities?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 34

Decreasing salinities and lower density,water near the equator is due to

A)stable conditions creating abundant rain.
B)unstable conditions creating abundant rain.
C)upwelling conditions created by highly saline surface waters.
D)upwelling conditions created by freshwater surface waters.

Question 35

Which gives rise to equatorial upwelling?

A)Walker cell deflection causes cooler surface waters to deflect to the northwest,causing warmer waters to replace the dispersing surface water.
B)Coriolis deflection causes warmer surface waters to deflect to the southwest,causing warmer waters to replace the dispersing surface water.
C)Coriolis deflection causes warmer surface waters to deflect to the northwest causing deeper,cooler waters to replace the dispersing surface water.
D)Coriolis deflection causes cooler surface waters to deflect to the east,causing deeper,cooler waters to replace the dispersing surface water.

Question 36

Water's salinity can be increased by

A)entering freshwater streams.
B)decreased rates of evaporation.
C)ice freezing.
D)ice melting.

Question 37

In regard to ocean salinity,temperature,and density,

A)heavy tropical rainfall increases salinity and decreases density
B)high evaporation in subtropical waters decreases salinity and increases density
C)ice formation in polar zones decreases salinity and density
D)ice formation in polar zones increases salinity and density

Question 38

The dominant control in global sea surface temperature is

A)upwelling and thermocline zones.
B)rising air along the equator.
C)descending air in the subtropics.
D)the supply of solar insolation.

Question 39

In the Pacific Ocean,Walker cell circulation is associated with

A)eastward surface winds moving away from the Pacific warm pool.
B)westward surface winds moving away from the Pacific warm pool.
C)westward surface winds moving toward the Pacific warm pool.
D)eastward surface winds moving toward the Pacific warm pool.

Question 40

Where on the following world map are the lowest salinities?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 41

El Niño would bring the warm pool and associated convective rainfall to

A)A.
B)B.
C)C.
D)D.

Question 42

When the Kelvin wave hits the coast of South America,

A)the thermocline is at a much more shallow level as cold water is concentrated at the surface.
B)the thermocline is found much deeper as warm water is concentrated at depth.
C)the thermocline is at a much more shallow level as warm water is concentrated at depth.
D)the thermocline is at a much more shallow level as cold water is concentrated at depth.

Question 43

During the warm phase of ENSO,warmest waters are found along the

A)western Pacific extending from Japan to Australia.
B)southwest of North America.
C)equator in the eastern Pacific,west of South America.
D)Gulf Stream extending to Great Britain.

Question 44

The term "El Niño" phenomena in December in Peru explains

A)warming of an otherwise cold current,which brings heavy rain and flooding.
B)cooling of an otherwise cold current,which brings heavy rain and flooding.
C)warming of an otherwise cold current,which brings high temperatures and drought.
D)cooling of an otherwise warm current,which brings high temperatures and drought.

Question 45

The thermocline would be expected to be closest to the surface off the western coast of south America during

A)neutral ENSO.
B)La Niña.
C)El Niño.
D)La Niña and El Niño.

Question 46

In regard to the Southern Oscillation,when

A)pressures are low in Darwin,pressures are also lower in Tahiti.
B)pressures are high in Tahiti,pressures are also high in Darwin.
C)pressures are high in Darwin,pressures are lower in Tahiti.

Question 47

A Kelvin wave develops when:

A)westward moving winds weaken,causing the mound of warm water in the western Pacific to move eastward.
B)eastward moving winds weaken,causing the mound of warm water in the western Pacific to move eastward.
C)westward moving winds strengthen,causing the mound of warm water in the western Pacific to move eastward.
D)westward moving winds weaken,causing the mound of warm water in the western Pacific to move westward.

Question 48

The waters off the coast of Peru are normally

A)warm because of a current bringing warm water from the north and upwelling conditions.
B)cold because of a current bringing cold water from the south and upwelling conditions.
C)cold because of a current bringing cold water from the north and sinking water.
D)warm because of a current bringing warm water from the north and sinking water.

Question 49

Walker-like cells are found between:

A)A and B
B)B and C
C)C and D
D)B and D

Question 50

The El Niño begins to weaken and eventually terminates when

A)the leading edge of the cold Kelvin wave finally reaches the eastern coast of South America.
B)cold water spreads out away from the equator,bringing warm upwelling waters from depth.
C)cold water converges on the equator,bringing cold upwelling waters from depth.
D)warm water spreads out away from the equator,bringing cold upwelling waters from depth.

Question 51

Which of the following locations would be characterized by drier and warmer conditions during a La Niña?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 52

Warm air rising from the fluctuating location of the warm pool becomes incorporated into

A)the westward moving Walker cell and eastward moving Hadley cell.
B)the eastward moving Walker cell and westward moving Hadley cell.
C)the westward moving subtropical and polar front jet streams.
D)the eastward moving subtropical and polar front jet streams.

Question 53

The Southern Oscillation is in a negative phase when pressures

A)are low in both Tahiti and Darwin.
B)equal out in both Tahiti and Darwin.
C)are higher in Tahiti than in Darwin.
D)are higher in Darwin than in Tahiti.

Question 54

During the cold phase (La Niña),

A)higher than normal pressures form across the southern United States.
B)lower than normal pressures form across the southern United States.
C)higher than normal pressure are typically centered over Hudson Bay.

Question 55

Cold phases of El Niño will bring

A)heavy rain to Southeast Asia and Australia.
B)drought conditions to Southeast Asia and Australia.
C)heavy rainfall from Chili to California.
D)drought to all parts of the planet then heavy rain.

Question 56

Upwelling would be strongest off the coast of Peru during

A)neutral ENSO.
B)La Niña.
C)El Niño.
D)La Niña and El Niño.

Question 57

An El Niño is fully in place when

A)dispersing water spreads away from the equator on the eastern coast of South America.
B)dispersing water spreads away from the equator on the western coast of South America.
C)the leading edge of the Kelvin wave reaches the western coast of South America.
D)the leading edge of the Kelvin wave reaches the eastern coast of South America.

Question 58

During a La Niña phase,excess warm water accumulates in

A)A.
B)B.
C)C.
D)D.

Question 59

La Niña would bring the heaviest rainfall to

A)A.
B)B.
C)C.
D)D.

Question 60

Which of the following locations would be characterized by warmer conditions than during an El Niño?

A)A
B)B
C)C
D)D

Question 61

Storms leaving the east side of the Icelandic Low and Azores High will be steered to the

A)northeast if mainly under the influence of the Icelandic Low.
B)northeast if mainly under the influence of the Azores High.
C)southeast if mainly under the influence of the Icelandic Low.
D)southwest if mainly under the influence of the Azores High.

Question 62

Regarding the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD),air is mainly descending at ________ and rising at ________.

A)A; C
B)A; D
C)C; A
D)C; B

Question 63

The rain-shadow effect on the Isthmus is most pronounced

A)in the summer,on the Pacific side of the Isthmus.
B)in the winter,on the Pacific side of the Isthmus.
C)in the summer,on both sides of the coasts of the Isthmus.
D)in the winter,on both sides of the coasts of the Isthmus.

Question 64

During the cold phase of the El Niño,the warmest waters are located at

A)A.
B)B.
C)C.
D)D.

Question 65

A negative phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)results in warmer than average surface waters at ________ and cooler than average waters at ________.

A)A; C
B)A; D
C)C; A
D)C; B

Question 66

The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)is air mainly descending at ________ and rising at ________.

A)A; C
B)A; D
C)C; A
D)C; B

Question 67

In January,the Intertropical Convergence Zone is shifted to

A)the north of the Isthmus,and winds blow across the Isthmus,from the northeast.
B)the north of the Isthmus,and winds blow across the Isthmus,from the southwest.
C)the south of the Isthmus,and winds blow across the Isthmus,from the southwest.
D)the south of the Isthmus,and winds blow across the Isthmus,from the northeast.

Question 68

The circulation of the Icelandic low-pressure system,which influences the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO),is

A)clockwise and inward.
B)clockwise and outward.
C)counterclockwise and inward.
D)counterclockwise and outward.

Question 69

Which of the following types of data would be the best indication of the phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO)?

A)Sea-surface temperatures in the Pacific offshore of Alaska
B)Air-pressure differences between Perth,Australia and Tibet
C)Drought in Africa
D)Temperature of the Gulf Stream

Question 70

Which of the following is NOT influenced by the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO)?

A)Sea-surface temperatures
B)Wind directions and strengths
C)Populations of salmon
D)Lengths of glaciers
E)All of these choices are correct

Question 71

In September,the Intertropical Convergence Zone is shifted to

A)the north of the Isthmus,and winds blow across the Isthmus,from the northeast.
B)the north of the Isthmus,and winds blow across the Isthmus,from the southwest.
C)the south of the Isthmus,and winds blow across the Isthmus,from the southwest.
D)the south of the Isthmus,and winds blow across the Isthmus,from the northeast.

Question 72

The circulation of the Bermuda-Azores high-pressure system,which influences the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO),is

A)clockwise and inward.
B)clockwise and outward.
C)counterclockwise and inward.
D)counterclockwise and outward.

Question 73

A positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)results in warmer than average surface waters at ________ and cooler than average waters at ________.

A)A; C
B)A; D
C)C; A
D)C; B

Question 74

During the warm phase of the El Niño,the ITC is drawn south and west of its normal position.This has the effect of

A)weakening the orographic effect on the Caribbean side of the Isthmus.
B)warming the waters on the Caribbean side of the Isthmus.
C)weakening the rain-shadow effect on the Pacific side of the Isthmus.
D)enhancing the rain-shadow effect on the Pacific side of the Isthmus.

Question 75

In predicting the onset of an El Niño,supercomputers would use all of the following except changes in

A)precipitation totals.
B)atmospheric pressure.
C)sea surface temperature.
D)wind speed.

Question 76

A strong negative index for the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)usually means that there is ________ of a pressure difference between the Bermuda (subtropical)high and the Icelandic low pressure.This brings ________ than average temperatures over the northern United States
And northwest Europe.

A)less,cooler
B)less,warmer
C)greater,cooler
D)greater,warmer

Question 77

A strong positive index for the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)usually means that there is a ________ Bermuda (subtropical)high that results in ________ than average temperatures over the northern United States and northwest Europe.

A)weaker; cooler
B)weaker; warmer
C)strong; cooler
D)strong; warmer

Question 78

Storms leaving the east side of the Icelandic Low and Azores High will be steered to the

A)northeast if mainly under the influence of the Icelandic Low.
B)northeast if mainly under the influence of the Azores High.
C)southeast if mainly under the influence of the Icelandic Low.
D)southwest if mainly under the influence of the Azores High.

Question 79

A negative phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)results in warmer than average surface waters at ________ and cooler than average waters at ________.

A)A; C
B)A; D
C)C; A
D)C; B

Question 80

A positive phase of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)results in warmer than average surface waters at ________ and cooler than average waters at ________.

A)A; C
B)A; D
C)C; A
D)C; B