Oceanography Final Review Flashcards
The Earth is approximately how old?
Approximately 4.6 billion years old.
How much of Earth’s surface is covered by water?
About 71% of Earth’s surface is covered by water.
Ocean water makes up what percent of water on Earth?
97% of Earth’s water is found in the oceans.
Reasons for the importance of oceans on our planet: (Learn 2)
Regulate global climate by absorbing heat and carbon dioxide.
Provide oxygen through marine photosynthesis (phytoplankton).
Support biodiversity and marine ecosystems.
Serve as a major source of food and resources.
Facilitate global transportation and trade.
Oceanography is classified under which branches of science?
Geology: Study of seafloor structures and plate tectonics.
Biology: Study of marine organisms and ecosystems.
Chemistry: Analysis of seawater composition and chemical cycles.
Physics: Study of currents, waves, and ocean-atmosphere interactions.
Meteorology: Focus on how oceans influence weather and climate.
Ocean chart (Study the image)
https://www.imghippo.com/i/UByh1730Lgc.png
Youngest ocean and why?
Southern ocean. It formed approximately 30 million years ago when the Antarctic Circumpolar Current developed, isolating Antarctica and forming a unique ocean.
How are Earth’s oceans important to the global climate?
They absorb and distribute heat, driving global climate patterns.
Oceans store CO2, buffering atmospheric changes.
A decrease in ocean size could lead to more extreme weather and reduced biodiversity. An increase or rise in temperature could accelerate sea level rise and climate instability.
Importance of the high heat capacity of water
Water’s ability to absorb and release heat stabilizes global temperatures, reducing extreme temperature swings.
Nansen Bottle
Collects deep-sea water samples.
Refractometer
Measures salinity.
AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle)
Conducts underwater research autonomously.
ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle)
Operated remotely to explore deep oceans.
Deep Worker
Manned submersible for individual research.
CTD Rosette
Measures conductivity, temperature, and depth.
Sonde
Measures water properties like temperature and salinity.
Current Meter
Measures water flow speed and direction.
Current Drifter
Tracks water current movement.
Secchi Disk
Measures water transparency.
Sediment Grab
Collects seabed samples.
FLIP (Floating Instrument Platform)
Research vessel for studying wave dynamics.
Plankton Net
Collects plankton samples.
First 100% scientific oceanographic expedition
The HMS Challenger Expedition (1872-1876) is considered the first dedicated scientific oceanographic voyage.
Fridtjof Nansen Significance
Developed methods for Arctic exploration and ocean water studies.
Jacques Cousteau Significance
Innovated scuba diving equipment and underwater research.
Matthew Maury Significance
Father of modern oceanography; created first wind and ocean current maps.
Charles Wyville Thomson Significance
Led the HMS Challenger Expedition.
Ferdinand Magellan Significance
First circumnavigation of Earth, mapping key ocean routes.
HMS Beagle Significance
Darwin’s exploration of biodiversity.
HMS Challenger Significance
First pure oceanographic expedition.
Turtle Significance
First military submarine.
Trieste Significance
Reached Challenger Deep in 1960.
Alvin Significance
Discovered hydrothermal vents.
Fram Significance
Arctic exploration vessel used by Nansen.
Meteor Significance
First systematic study of Atlantic Ocean.
Outermost solid layer of Earth
Continental Crust
What’s Hydrogen Bonding and three properties
Attraction between polar molecules involving hydrogen.
High heat capacity.
Surface tension.
Solid water (ice) is less dense than liquid water.
