Module 3

Question 1

Vertical structure of ocean (starting from the surface)

Answer 1

Warm Mixed Layer
Thermocline
Cold Abyss

Question 2

How is the ocean heated?

Answer 2

From above by incident solar radiation

Question 3

Southern Oscillation Index

Answer 3

Measure of surface pressure difference between Tahiti and Darwin, Australia

Question 4

Ekman Spiral

Answer 4

Current structure that develops near the ocean surface, driven directly by the effects of the wind, the Coriolis force, and friction

Question 5

Ekman Transport

Answer 5

Average amount of water carried by Ekman Spiral

Question 6

Correlation Coefficient (r)

Answer 6

A number between 1 and -1 which measures if two time series are in or out of phase with each other

Question 7

When r>0…

Answer 7

Two time series are in phase with each other

Question 8

When r<0…

Answer 8

Two time series are out of phase with each other

Question 9

When r=0…

Answer 9

Two time series are not correlated

Question 10

Walker Circulation

Answer 10

Trade winds from east to west push warm water towards Australia which results in more heat in the air and more clouds and rain. Meanwhile, towards Tahiti, upwelling brings up cold water to replace the warm water and cool air descends in the area.

Question 11

Between the Tahiti and Darwin anomalies, what are their pressures?

Answer 11

Tahiti: Normally high pressure
Darwin: Normally low pressure

Question 12

p-value

Answer 12

Shows a measure of the probability that two time series are correlated by pure chance and if the correlation coefficient is statistically significant.

Question 13

Ocean gyres

Answer 13

Systems of ocean currents in closed circulations (moving in a circle)

Question 14

The 5 Major Gyres

Answer 14

Indian Ocean
North Atlantic
North Pacific
South Atlantic
South Pacific

Question 15

What dynamics are responsible for ocean gyres?

Answer 15

Pressure Gradient Force
Coriolis Force
Geostrophic balance
Friction

Question 16

Coastal Upwelling

Answer 16

Currents moving to the right of wind (coriolis force), pushing warm water away, and colder water is drawn up to the surface

Question 17

Equatorial Upwelling

Answer 17

Trade winds blow from Northeast and Southeast and converge on the equator, blowing West, resulting in cold water coming up just north and south of the equator

Question 18

Upwelling drives what kind of production?

Answer 18

Biological (i.e, high chlorophyll, phytoplankton, etc)

Question 19

Bjerknes Feedback during La Nina

Answer 19

Strong trade winds lead to a stronger equatorial upwelling and a stronger walker circulation

Question 20

Bjerknes Feedback during El Nino

Answer 20

Weak trade winds lead to a weaker equatorial upwelling and a weaker walker circulation

Question 21

When conditions are normal between Tahiti and Darwin, their pressure anomalies are…

Answer 21

Both zero

Question 22

During La Nina conditions with the Tahiti and Darwin pressure anomalies…

Answer 22

The trade winds are strong

Question 23

During El Nino conditions with the Tahiti and Darwin pressure anomalies…

Answer 23

The trade winds are weakened or reversed

Question 24

Nino3.4 Index

Answer 24

Average sea surface temperature anomaly in central tropical Pacific

Question 25

In the Walker Circulation during El Nino, where does warm water shift?

Answer 25

Central Pacific

This results in less rain in Asia and Australasia

Question 26

Forecast ensemble

Answer 26

A collection of ensemble members at different starting points to predict multiple outcomes of the climate system for a better estimate

Question 27

Kelvin Waves

Answer 27

Waves which only move eastward on the equator

Rely on gravity and coriolis force