circulation of deep oceans

Question 1

what drives deep ocean circulation?

Answer 1

variations in temperature and salinity at the surface

Question 2

is salty water more or less dense than pure water?

Answer 2

more dense

Question 3

is warmer water more or less dense?

Answer 3

warm water is less dense

Question 4

what happens to salinity when ocean water freezes?

Answer 4

salt stays in the liquid so the ice is less salty

Question 5

what is the thermocline?

Answer 5

transition to cold temperature in the depths of the ocean

Question 6

what composes the bottom water of the ocean?

Answer 6

cold, dense and salty water

Question 7

which region has saltier surface water: more evaporation or more precipitation?

Answer 7

more evaporation

Question 8

who are the main drivers of deep ocean circulation?

Answer 8

polar regions because they have the coldest and saltiest water

Question 9

what is the normal behavior of the Equatorial Pacific basin?

Answer 9

• easterly trade winds drive surface ocean water West (rainy)
• in East, surface water is replaced by colder water from below (dry)

Question 10

what happens during an El Nino?

Answer 10

the warm pool of surface water in the western tropical Pacific shifts farther east towards the Peruvian coast -> everything shifts (precipitation and temperature)