Ocean Flashcards
pacific ocean
It extends from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the Southern Ocean
atlantic ocean
the 2nd largest ocean; separates North and South America on the west from Europe and Africa on the east
Indian ocean
The Indian Ocean is an ocean bordered by Africa in the west, Asia in the north, and Australia in the east, and merging with the Antarctic Ocean in the south
Arctic ocean
The Arctic Ocean is the ocean surrounding the North Pole, north of the Arctic Circle.
Southern ocean
The Southern Ocean refers to the ring of ocean that circles Antarctica. While the Antarctic continent provides a clear southern boundary
salinity
a measure of the amount of dissolved salts in a given amount of liquid.
Surface zone
any of five great divisions of the earth’s surface with respect to latitude and temperature
Thermocline
a steep temperature gradient in a body of water such as a lake, marked by a layer above and below which the water is at different temperatures.
deep zone
Life in the deep sea must withstand total darkness, extreme cold,and great pressure
water cycle
the cycle of processes by which water circulates between the earth’s oceans, atmosphere, and land, involving precipitation as rain and snow, drainage in streams and rivers
Evaporation
the process of turning from liquid into vapor.
Condensation
water which collects as droplets on a cold surface when humid air is in contact with it.
Precipitation
rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground.
Continental shelf
the area of seabed around a large landmass where the sea is relatively shallow compared with the open ocean
continental slope
the slope between the outer edge of the continental shelf and the deep ocean floor.
continental rise
The continental rise is an underwater feature found between the continental slope and the abyssal plain
abyssal plain
An abyssal plain is an underwater plain on the deep ocean floor, usually found at depths between 3,000 metres
mid-ocean ridge
a long, seismically active submarine ridge system situated in the middle of an ocean basin and marking the site of the upwelling of magma associated with seafloor spreading
rift valley
a large elongated depression with steep walls formed by the downward displacement of a block of the earth’s surface between nearly parallel faults or fault system
seamount
a submerged mountain on the ocean floor that is at least 1,000 m high and that has a volcanic origin.
ocean trench
a long, narrow ditch.
plankton
the small and microscopic organisms drifting or floating in the sea or fresh water, consisting chiefly of diatoms, protozoans
nekton
aquatic animals that are able to swim and move independently of water currents.
Benthos
the flora and fauna found on the bottom, or in the bottom sediments, of a sea, lake, or other body of water.
desalinattion
the process of removing salt from seawater.
