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Oceanography Assignment Short

The document outlines major ocean basins and their locations, including the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic Oceans. It describes the temperature profile of open oceans, the reasons for two daily high tides, and the factors influencing wave size. Additionally, it explains the Coriolis effect, the concept of gyres, wave refraction, and how coastal processes contribute to the straightening of coastlines.

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4 views1 page

Oceanography Assignment Short

The document outlines major ocean basins and their locations, including the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic Oceans. It describes the temperature profile of open oceans, the reasons for two daily high tides, and the factors influencing wave size. Additionally, it explains the Coriolis effect, the concept of gyres, wave refraction, and how coastal processes contribute to the straightening of coastlines.

Uploaded by

pechdiany0
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

1. Name the major ocean basins and give their locations.

The Pacific lies between Asia/Australia and the Americas. The Atlantic is between the
Americas and Europe/Africa. The Indian is between Africa, Asia, and Australia. The
Southern surrounds Antarctica. The Arctic is around the North Pole.

2. Describe the temperature profile of the open oceans.

Warm surface layer, a thermocline where temperature drops quickly, and a cold deep layer
that stays nearly constant.

3. Explain why two high tides occur every day.

The Moon’s gravity creates a bulge on the near side and inertia creates another on the far
side. As Earth rotates, locations pass through both, giving two high tides.

4. List the three factors that determine the size of a wave.

Wind speed, wind duration, and fetch.

5. Explain the Coriolis effect. What is a gyre?

It is the deflection of moving air and water due to Earth’s rotation (right in the north, left in
the south). A gyre is a large circular ocean current system.

6. What is refraction? How does it affect coastal erosion?

Refraction is the bending of waves in shallow water. It focuses energy on headlands (more
erosion) and spreads it in bays (more deposition).

7. Explain how coastal processes straighten an irregular coastline.

Waves erode headlands and move sediment to bays where it is deposited, gradually
smoothing the coastline.

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