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Geophysics of the Oceans

Description: This quiz is designed to assess your knowledge on the Geophysics of the Oceans, covering various aspects such as ocean basin structure, plate tectonics, marine geophysics, and ocean circulation.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: geophysics oceans plate tectonics marine geophysics ocean circulation
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

What is the largest ocean basin on Earth?

  1. Pacific Ocean

  2. Atlantic Ocean

  3. Indian Ocean

  4. Arctic Ocean


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean basin, covering approximately 165.25 million square kilometers (63.8 million square miles).

What is the process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges?

  1. Seafloor spreading

  2. Subduction

  3. Continental collision

  4. Rift formation


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Seafloor spreading is the process by which new oceanic crust is formed at mid-ocean ridges, where tectonic plates move apart and magma rises from the mantle to fill the gap.

Which of these is NOT a type of seismic wave generated by earthquakes?

  1. P-waves

  2. S-waves

  3. Love waves

  4. Rayleigh waves


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Love waves are a type of surface wave that travels along the boundary between two different materials, such as the Earth's crust and mantle. They are NOT generated by earthquakes.

What is the term used to describe the process by which oceanic plates are recycled back into the mantle?

  1. Subduction

  2. Obduction

  3. Accretion

  4. Collision


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Subduction is the process by which oceanic plates are recycled back into the mantle. It occurs when one tectonic plate moves beneath another, causing the oceanic plate to melt and be reabsorbed into the mantle.

Which ocean current is responsible for transporting warm water from the tropics to the polar regions?

  1. Gulf Stream

  2. Kuroshio Current

  3. North Atlantic Drift

  4. Humboldt Current


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The Gulf Stream is a powerful ocean current that transports warm water from the tropics to the polar regions. It originates in the Gulf of Mexico and flows along the eastern coast of North America before crossing the Atlantic Ocean.

What is the term used to describe the vertical movement of water in the ocean caused by changes in temperature and salinity?

  1. Upwelling

  2. Downwelling

  3. Convection

  4. Tides


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Upwelling is the vertical movement of water in the ocean caused by changes in temperature and salinity. It occurs when cold, dense water rises from the deep ocean to the surface, replacing warmer, less dense water.

Which of these is NOT a major type of ocean basin?

  1. Marginal basin

  2. Back-arc basin

  3. Forearc basin

  4. Abyssal plain


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Abyssal plains are NOT a major type of ocean basin. They are flat, sediment-covered regions of the deep ocean floor.

What is the term used to describe the process by which sediment is transported from land to the ocean?

  1. Erosion

  2. Weathering

  3. Deposition

  4. Sedimentation


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Erosion is the process by which sediment is transported from land to the ocean. It occurs when wind, water, or ice breaks down and carries away soil and rock particles.

Which of these is NOT a type of marine geophysical survey method?

  1. Seismic reflection profiling

  2. Magnetic anomaly mapping

  3. Gravity anomaly mapping

  4. Radiocarbon dating


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Radiocarbon dating is NOT a type of marine geophysical survey method. It is a technique used to determine the age of organic materials.

What is the term used to describe the process by which ocean water moves from the surface to the deep ocean?

  1. Downwelling

  2. Upwelling

  3. Convection

  4. Tides


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Downwelling is the process by which ocean water moves from the surface to the deep ocean. It occurs when cold, dense water sinks from the surface to the bottom of the ocean.

Which of these is NOT a major type of ocean current?

  1. Boundary current

  2. Western boundary current

  3. Eastern boundary current

  4. Gyre


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Gyres are NOT a major type of ocean current. They are large-scale circular ocean currents that rotate clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.

What is the term used to describe the process by which ocean water is heated by the sun?

  1. Insolation

  2. Convection

  3. Radiation

  4. Conduction


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Insolation is the term used to describe the process by which ocean water is heated by the sun.

Which of these is NOT a type of marine sediment?

  1. Terrigenous sediment

  2. Pelagic sediment

  3. Authigenic sediment

  4. Hydrothermal sediment


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Hydrothermal sediment is NOT a type of marine sediment. It is a type of sediment that is formed by the precipitation of minerals from hydrothermal fluids.

What is the term used to describe the process by which ocean water is cooled by the atmosphere?

  1. Evaporation

  2. Convection

  3. Radiation

  4. Conduction


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Evaporation is the term used to describe the process by which ocean water is cooled by the atmosphere.

Which of these is NOT a type of marine geophysical instrument?

  1. Multibeam echosounder

  2. Side-scan sonar

  3. Sub-bottom profiler

  4. Magnetometer


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Magnetometer is NOT a type of marine geophysical instrument. It is a device used to measure the strength and direction of magnetic fields.

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