Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Geography > Oceanography > Flashcards

Oceanography Flashcards

(44 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What percentage of Earth’s surface is covered by the hydrosphere?

A

71%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

List the five major oceans.

A
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Indian Ocean
  • Arctic Ocean
  • Southern Ocean
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What processes create ocean relief?

A

Tectonic, volcanic, erosional, and depositional processes and their interactions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is the average depth of the ocean?

A

3,800 m

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is the average height of the lithosphere?

A

840 m

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Define continental shelf.

A

Submerged extension of a continent, sloping gently from the shoreline to the continental slope

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the typical depth of a continental shelf?

A

Usually 200 m, sometimes up to 500 m

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the composition of the continental shelf?

A

Continental crust and sedimentary deposits

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What features may be found on the continental shelf?

A
  • Submerged ridges
  • Valleys
  • Canyons
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the economic significances of the continental shelf? (List at least two)

A
  • Hydrocarbons
  • Marine ecosystems
  • Tourism
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the Continental Slope?

A

The steeply sloping transition zone between the continental shelf and the deep ocean floor

Edge of shelf, till abyssal plain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the typical slope angle of the Continental Slope?

A

3-6 degrees, sometimes even 25

Steeper than shelf

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the depth range of the Continental Slope?

A

200-3000 km

Varied depth

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What geological features characterize the Continental Slope?

A

Underwater cliffs, canyons, and steep slopes

Formed by erosion, sedimentation, and tectonic activity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What role does the Continental Slope play in ocean geography?

A

Helps create deep-sea plains, continental rise, and turbidity currents

Important for oceanic structure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What resources are associated with the Continental Slope?

A

Resource exploration: yet to be developed

Potential for future exploration

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What are Abyssal Plains?

A

Vast, flat expanses of the ocean floor located at depths greater than 2,000 meters

Also known as deep sea plains

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the depth range of Abyssal Plains?

Study These Flashcards
A

2000-6000 m

Depth range indicates significant oceanic depth

19
Q

What is the topography of Abyssal Plains like?

Study These Flashcards
A

Relatively flat

Composed of fine-grained sediments

20
Q

What types of ecosystems are found in Abyssal Plains?

Study These Flashcards
A

Diverse ecosystems adapted to extreme conditions

Conditions include high pressure, low light, and cold temperatures

21
Q

What resources can be found in Abyssal Plains?

Study These Flashcards
A

Polymetallic nodules, manganese crusts, and hydrothermal vent deposits

Technology for extraction not yet developed

22
Q

What processes shape Abyssal Plains?

Study These Flashcards
A

Geological processes such as sedimentation, erosion, and tectonic activity

Important for understanding ocean floor formation

23
Q

What are Submarine Canyons?

Study These Flashcards
A

Deep, steep-sided valleys cut into the continental slope

Often across shelf and till deep sea plains

24
Q

How are Submarine Canyons formed?

Study These Flashcards
A

By erosional processes such as turbidity currents, underwater landslides, and river discharge

Erosion plays a significant role in their formation

25
What function do Submarine Canyons serve?
Conduits for sediment transport from the continental shelf to the deep ocean ## Footnote Critical for sediment dynamics in ocean environments
26
What is an archipelago?
A group or chain of islands clustered together in a body of water ## Footnote Example: Japanese Archipelago, in Western Pacific Ocean
27
Define a lake.
Bodies of water surrounded by land, larger and deeper than ponds ## Footnote Example: Lake Baikal in Russia, Wular Lake in India
28
What is a gulf?
An inlet or bay that is partially surrounded by land ## Footnote Example: Gulf of Kutch, along the western coast of Gujarat, India
29
Describe a bay.
A recessed, coastal body of water that is partly surrounded by land ## Footnote Example: Bay of Bengal
30
What is a cape?
A pointed or curved piece of land extending into a body of water ## Footnote Example: Cape Comorin (Kanyakumari), the southernmost tip of the Indian Peninsula; Cape of Good Hope, Africa
31
Define a peninsula.
A piece of land surrounded by water on three sides, connected to a larger landmass ## Footnote Example: Indian Peninsula, surrounded by Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean
32
What is a lagoon?
A shallow body of water separated from a larger body of water by a barrier island or reef ## Footnote Example: Chilika Lake, a brackish water lagoon in Odisha, India
33
What factors affect ocean water temperature?
Factors affecting ocean water temperature include: * Solar Radiation * Ocean Currents * Atmospheric Circulation * Continentality * Ocean Depth * Seasonal Variation
34
What is the typical surface temperature of ocean water near the equator?
Ocean temperatures are generally warm, often exceeding 25°C
35
How does ocean temperature vary with latitude?
Toward higher latitudes, ocean temperatures tend to decrease
36
What is the thermocline?
A transition zone characterized by a rapid decrease in temperature with depth
37
What is the temperature range in the deep ocean?
Typically ranges from 2°C to 4°C (35.6°F to 39.2°F)
38
List the significance of ocean temperature.
Significance of ocean temperature includes: * Influences the distribution and behaviour of marine organisms * Drives ocean currents * Impacts weather patterns, sea level rise, and the frequency and intensity of extreme events
39
What is salinity?
Concentration of dissolved salts in ocean water ## Footnote Average: 34.7 ppt
40
What factors affect ocean salinity?
Factors affecting ocean salinity include: * Evaporation and Precipitation * Riverine Input * Sea Ice Formation and Melting * Ocean Currents * Atmospheric Circulation
41
Where is salinity higher and lower in the ocean?
Higher in subtropical regions and lower in equatorial and polar regions
42
What is a halocline?
A transition zone characterized by a rapid change in salinity with depth
43
What is the salinity of the deep ocean?
Salinity in the deep ocean is relatively uniform and approximately 34.7 ppt
44
List the significance of ocean salinity.
Significance of ocean salinity includes: * Influences seawater density * Plays a crucial role in shaping marine ecosystems, species distributions, and biogeochemical cycles

Geography (1 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions