Question 1

Plankton that conduct photosynthesis are called _______________.

Accepted Answer

phytoplankton

Question 2

A(n) ____ sea level change occurs when the growth or melting of glaciers alters the global sea level.

Accepted Answer

Eustatic sea level change refers to a complete shift in the average sea level caused by an alteration in the volume of water in the ocean. This can happen due to factors such as the growth or melting of glaciers, which cause a change in the amount of water in the ocean. Isostatic sea level change occurs when the crust is lifted or subsides, causing a local change in sea level. Thermohaline circulation refers to the movement of water due to differences in temperature and salinity, and Ekman refers to a type of ocean circulation caused by wind.

Question 3

A pillar of rock let when a sea arch collapses or when the inshore portion of a headland erodes faster than the tip is called a(n) _______________.

Accepted Answer

sea stack

Question 4

The bending of a wave that occurs when it approaches the shore at an angle and the end of the wave in shallow water slows down is called _______________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The bending of a wave that occurs...

Question 5

A(n) _______________ is a wave-resistant ridge or mound built by corals, oysters, algae, or other marine organisms.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A(n) _______________ is a wave-resistant ridge or...

Question 6

The relatively small tides that occur when the Moon is 90 degrees out of alignment with the Sun and Earth are called _______________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The relatively small tides that occur when...

Question 7

A(n) _______________ coastline is one that was previously above sea level but has been drowned, because either the land has sunk or sea level has risen.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A(n) _______________ coastline is one that was...

Question 8

When the flow of water caused by the rise and fall of the tides is channeled by a bay with a narrow entrance or by closely spaced islands, a(n) _______________ results.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When the flow of water caused by...

Question 9

The upward flow of water that carries cold water from the ocean depths to the surface is called _______________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The upward flow of water that carries...

Question 10

Any strip of shoreline washed by waves and tides is called a(n) _______________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Any strip of shoreline washed by waves...

Question 11

The layer of ocean water in which temperature drops rapidly with depth is called the ____.

Accepted Answer

The thermocline is the layer of ocean water in which temperature drops rapidly with depth.

Question 12

A spring tide is a ____ tide that occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are ____.

Accepted Answer

A spring tide is a tide with a large difference between high and low tide that occurs when the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned.

Question 13

A wave steepens and crashes when it enters waters shallower than its _______________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A wave steepens and crashes when it...

Question 14

The circular motion of water caused by a passing wave diminishes with depth until it becomes negligible at the _______________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The circular motion of water caused by...

Question 15

The two most common ions dissolved in seawater are ____.

Accepted Answer

Sodium and chloride ions are the most common ions dissolved in seawater, making up approximately 85% of all dissolved ions. Magnesium and calcium ions are also abundant in seawater, but to a lesser extent. Sulfate and carbonate ions are present, but in even smaller quantities. Potassium and gold ions are not typically found in seawater.

Question 16

Circular or elliptical currents in either water or air are called _______________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Circular or elliptical currents in either water...

Question 17

A sheltered body of water separated from the sea by a reef or barrier island is a(n) _______________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A sheltered body of water separated from...

Question 18

____ is the process by which surface water moved by wind drags the layer of ocean water below it, which in turn drags the layer below it, and so forth, with the direction of movement in each layer deflected by the Coriolis effect.

Accepted Answer

This is the description of Ekman transport, which is the result of the combined effects of wind, the Coriolis effect, and frictional drag on the water surface. The process results in a net movement of surface water at an angle of 90 degrees to the direction of the wind.

Question 19

The deflection of currents caused by Earth's rotation is called the _______________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The deflection of currents caused by Earth's...

Question 20

The _______________ is the distance between successive wave crests (or troughs).

Accepted Answer

The answer of The _______________ is the distance between successive...

Quiz 16: Oceans and Coastlines