01
Choose one
1 point
A subtropical gyre is located in the Southern Hemisphere. In which direction does it generally rotate?
Free Practice Quiz Question List
4 Ocean Circulation Online Quiz Questions
Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 4 Ocean Circulation, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.
20 questions
02
True or false
1 point
True or false: The Coriolis effect on moving ocean water is weakest near the equator.
- A
True
- B
False
03
Written response
1 point
What is the term for the process in which deep water gradually rises toward the ocean surface?
04
Choose one
1 point
Which statement correctly compares two North Atlantic boundary currents?
- A
The Gulf Stream is a cool eastern boundary current, and the Canary Current is a warm western boundary current.
- B
The Gulf Stream is a warm western boundary current, and the Canary Current is a cooler eastern boundary current.
- C
Both are warm western boundary currents.
- D
Both are cool eastern boundary currents.
05
Fill in the blank
1 point
When sea ice forms, much of its salt remains in the surrounding water, increasing that water's and, in turn, its .
06
Choose all
1 point
Select all statements that accurately describe forces or features that drive or shape surface currents.
- A
Prevailing winds transfer momentum to the sea surface.
- B
Earth's rotation deflects moving water.
- C
Continents and seafloor features can steer or redirect currents.
- D
Unequal solar heating directly pushes seawater without acting through winds.
- E
Ocean-basin boundaries have no effect on current pathways.
07
True or false
1 point
True or false: The Coriolis effect is strongest near the equator, so it most strongly redirects equatorial currents.
- A
True
- B
False
08
Fill in the blank
1 point
In the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, relatively warm upper waters flow , while deep water flows .
09
Choose one
1 point
Assuming comparable conditions otherwise, which seawater is most likely to become dense enough to sink?
- A
Warm, fresh water
- B
Warm, salty water
- C
Cold, salty water
- D
Cold, fresh water
10
Written response
1 point
What is the name of the cooler, relatively fresh water mass that spreads northward at intermediate depths?
11
Choose all
1 point
Select all ways ocean circulation can affect the ocean and its environments.
- A
It transports heat between regions.
- B
It redistributes dissolved gases and nutrients.
- C
It creates dissolved oxygen from nothing.
- D
It connects surface waters with the deep sea.
12
Open ended
1 point
Explain why deep ocean circulation is better understood as a connected, changing overturning system than as one unchanging conveyor route. Include the roles of water density and at least one other process that influences movement between ocean layers.
13
Choose one
1 point
Which description correctly identifies the Antarctic Circumpolar Current?
- A
It flows westward around Antarctica and connects only the Atlantic and Pacific.
- B
It flows eastward around Antarctica, connecting the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific sectors.
- C
It flows northward through the Indian Ocean and ends at the equator.
- D
It flows eastward across the Arctic Ocean, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific.
14
Choose one
1 point
Prevailing winds begin moving water across the upper ocean. Which force directly transfers the winds' motion to the sea surface?
- A
Wind stress transfers momentum to the sea surface.
- B
Density differences make the water sink.
- C
The Coriolis effect moves water away from the equator.
- D
Gravity pulls water toward the seafloor.
15
Choose one
1 point
A surface current moves through the Southern Hemisphere, well away from the equator. In which direction does the Coriolis effect deflect it?
- A
It is deflected to the right.
- B
It is deflected to the left.
- C
It is not deflected because the Coriolis effect is absent there.
- D
It is deflected toward the equator.
16
Choose one
1 point
Winds pile water into one part of an ocean basin, creating higher sea level there. What helps drive water away from that area?
- A
The Coriolis effect draws water toward the higher sea level.
- B
Density differences push water uphill toward the piled-up water.
- C
Gravity and pressure gradients help move water toward lower sea level.
- D
Wind stress stops affecting water once sea level changes.
17
Choose one
1 point
A subtropical gyre forms in the South Pacific. Which rotation direction is typical for a subtropical gyre in that hemisphere?
- A
Clockwise, because subtropical gyres rotate clockwise in both hemispheres.
- B
Counterclockwise, as is typical for subtropical gyres in the Southern Hemisphere.
- C
Clockwise, because the Coriolis effect is weakest near the South Pole.
- D
Counterclockwise, because the gyre is driven only by gravity.
18
True or false
1 point
True or false: When sea ice forms, salt left in the surrounding water can increase that water's salinity and density.
- A
True
- B
False
19
Written response
1 point
What is the full name of the current that flows eastward around Antarctica?
20
Written response
1 point
What is the full name of the very dense water mass formed near Antarctica that spreads along the seafloor into ocean basins?