Deck 6: Atmosphere - Ocean - Crysophere Interactions

Question 1

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

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

Answer 1

C

Question 2

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.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

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

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

Answer 3

A

Question 4

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

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

Question 5

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

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

Question 6

All of the following are warm currents, EXCEPT:

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

Question 7

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

Question 8

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

Question 9

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 10

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 11

Sea Surface Temperatures (SST)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 summer warm water.

Question 12

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

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

Question 13

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 14

Which of the following statements about water is true?

A) At temperatures above 4°C, warmer water will rise.
B) At temperatures above 4C, 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 15

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

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

Question 16

All of the following are cold currents, EXCEPT:

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

Question 17

Sea Surface Temperatures (SST's)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

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 19

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 20

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 SST.
D) currents moving warm water away from equator on the western sides of oceans.

Question 21

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 22

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 23

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 24

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 25

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 26

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 27

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 28

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 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

Where on the following world map are the lowest salinities?

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

Question 31

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 32

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 33

Water's salinity can be increased by

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

Question 34

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 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

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 37

Where on the following world map are the highest salinities?

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

Question 38

Mid-latitude 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 39

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 40

In polar areas

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

Question 41

In predicting the onset of an El Nino, supercomputers would use all of the following EXCEPT changes in

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

Question 42

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

A) neutral ENSO.
B) La Nina.
C) El Nino.
D) La Nina and El Nino.

Question 43

The waters off the coast of Peru are normally

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

Question 44

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 45

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

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

Question 46

During the cold phase (La Niña)

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

Question 47

Other Walker-like cells are found at all of the following locations EXCEPT:

A) less developed areas on land.
B) developed areas along coasts.
C) developed areas on land.
D) less developed areas along coasts.

Question 48

Positive phases of El Nino 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 49

The term "El Nino" 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 50

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 51

The El Nino 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 52

In regard to 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 53

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 54

An El Nino is fully in place when:

A) as dispersing water spreads away from the equator on the eastern coast of South America.
B) as 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 55

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 56

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

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

Question 57

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 58

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 59

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 60

Upwelling would be strongest off the coast of Peru during

A) neutral ENSO.
B) La Nina.
C) El Nino.
D) La Nina and El Nino.

Question 61

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 62

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 63

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 64

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 winter, on both sides of the coasts of the Isthmus.
D) in the winter, on both sides of the coasts of the Isthmus.

Question 65

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 66

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 67

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 U.S.
And northwest Europe

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

Question 68

During the warm phase of the El Nino, 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 69

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 70

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 U.S.and northwest Europe

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