Exam 16: Oceans, Shorelines, and Shoreline Processes

Glacial periods are characterized by submergent coasts.

The zone that extends to just beyond where the waves break is called the ____________________ zone.

The densest ocean water is ____.

Winter beach profiles can actually develop during any season.

The deep seafloor is primarily composed of ____.

The bending of waves toward shore as they approach from an oblique angle is called wave ____________________.

Beaches change seasonally in response to changes in ____.

Which term describes vertical ocean circulation, in which water moves from deep to shallow?

The oceans are most likely to get saltier if ____.

Ocean energy is difficult to harness because ____.

Describe the three stages in the evolution of a coral reef. You may find the use of sketches helpful.

Nearly all beach sand is quartz.

Sediment is lost from the nearshore zone primarily by ____.

Briefly explain the effects of rising sea level on the barrier islands along the United States coastlines. Why are coastal communities concerned?

A beach with a small berm, coarser sediment, and offshore sand bars is a(n)____.

Shorelines experience depositional and erosional processes. List one feature formed by deposition and one feature formed by erosion, and explain how each feature is formed.

____________________ ____________________ measures the depth of the ocean floor by generating strong waves from an energy source that will reflect off the ocean floor and its underlying layers.

Salinity of seawater is a measure of ____.

The diameter of a water molecule's orbit increases with depth until the wave reaches the seafloor.

The largest waves are generated when ____.