The Oceans - Chapter 1: Ocean's Layered Structure

Question 1

What are the three layers in the open ocean that vary salinity and temperature?

Answer 1

shallow surface mixed zone
transition zone
deep zone

Question 2

Why are temperatures highest at ocean surface?

Answer 2

Solar energy is received

Question 3

The mixing of the shallow waters by waves as well as the turbulence from currents creates a rapid _________

Answer 3

vertical heat transfer

Question 4

The mixed surface zone is characterized by (more erratic/more uniform) temperatures

Answer 4

more uniform

Question 5

Below the sunwarmed zone of mixing, the temperature ____ with depth

Answer 5

falls

Question 6

What do we call the rapid temperature change that marks the transition between the warm surface layer and the deep zone of cold water below?

Answer 6

thermocline

Question 7

True or false: at depths greater than 5000 feet, the temperature is consistently less than 39 degrees F

Answer 7

true

Question 8

True or false: most seawater is not above freezing

Answer 8

True

Question 9

In the low and middle latitudes a surface zone of higher salinity is created when fresh water is removed by ____

Answer 9

evaporation

Question 10

What do we call the decrease in salinity below the surface zone?

Answer 10

halocline

Question 11

True or false: halocline and thermocline correspond.

Answer 11

True