Climate Quiz 6

Thermohaline ocean circulation is primarily caused by:

• the rotation of the earth and the Coriolis Effect.

• CO₂ concentration in the ocean.

• wind and precipitation.

• temperature and salinity of ocean water.

• El Nino.

Answer explanation

Thermohaline circulation is driven by differences in temperature and salinity, which affect water density. This process creates deep ocean currents, making 'temperature and salinity of ocean water' the correct answer.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following statements about currents is generally true?

• Currents traveling toward the poles are warm and currents traveling toward the equator are cold.

• Currents traveling toward the equator are warm and currents traveling toward the poles are cold.

• Currents flow in the direction of the Earth’s rotation.

• Current directions pretty much stay the same over time.

Answer explanation

Currents traveling toward the poles are warm due to their origin in tropical regions, while currents moving toward the equator are cold as they originate from polar areas. This makes the first statement generally true.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Which of the following statements about climate and plate tectonics is false?

• Land masses cause currents to change direction.

• Antarctica has always been at the South Pole.

• Ocean currents are affected by the position of the continents.

• The continents were closer together 100 million years ago than they are today.

Answer explanation

The statement 'Antarctica has always been at the South Pole' is false. Geological evidence shows that Antarctica was once located in a much warmer climate and has moved to its current position over millions of years.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Movements of South American, African, and Australian continents since the Eocene epoch have resulted in the movement of the continents away from Antarctica. The movements affected global climate mostly because:

• changes in continental positions affected Earth’s axial tilt.

• the continents drifted to higher latitudes.

• isolation of Antarctica melted Antarctic glaciers.

• Antarctic Ocean currents stopped flowing northward.

Answer explanation

The movement of continents affected ocean currents, particularly the Antarctic Ocean currents, which stopped flowing northward. This change significantly influenced global climate patterns.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

How do ocean currents play a role in the energy balance of the Earth?

• Higher levels of energy in very dense salty water allow more salt to be transferred to the equator.

• Higher levels of energy in very dense salty water allow more salt to be transferred to the poles.

• Higher latitudes receive more energy from the sun, and the excess energy is transferred by currents toward the equator.

• Lower latitudes receive more energy from the sun, and the excess energy is transferred by currents toward the poles.

Answer explanation

Lower latitudes receive more solar energy, creating a heat imbalance. Ocean currents help redistribute this excess energy toward the poles, balancing the Earth's energy distribution.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

The North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) is:

• colder than the Antarctic Bottom Water.

• the driver of the global ocean conveyor belt.

• less salty than the gulf stream due to iceberg formation.

• more dense than the Antarctic Bottom Water.

Answer explanation

The North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) is crucial for global ocean circulation, acting as a key driver of the global ocean conveyor belt. This process helps regulate climate and distribute heat across the planet.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

How could the global ocean conveyor belt be disrupted?

• Less dense waters won’t sink, so the NADW will not form as much.

• Global warming can decrease the density of the North Atlantic waters.

• Melting sea ice can reduce the amount of salt in surface waters.

• All of the choices.

Answer explanation

The global ocean conveyor belt can be disrupted by various factors: less dense waters not sinking, global warming decreasing water density, and melting sea ice reducing salt content. Thus, all choices contribute to potential disruptions.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-2

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-ESS3-5

Ocean currents affect climate because they:

• transfer energy from one part of the Earth to another.

• produce upwelling when currents collide.

• can carry dissolved gases to different latitudes.

• All of the choices.

Answer explanation

Ocean currents transfer energy across the globe, influencing climate patterns. While upwelling and gas transport are important, the primary role of currents in climate is energy transfer, making this the correct choice.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Plate tectonics can affect climate because:

• pressure in plates can be released under the ocean, increasing ocean temperatures.

• plate movement can cause tsunamis that change currents.

• plate position affects direction of current flow.

• All of the choices.

Answer explanation

Plate position affects the direction of ocean currents, which can influence climate patterns. While other options mention effects like tsunamis or ocean temperature, they do not directly relate to climate as strongly as current flow does.

How do volcanoes affect climate?

• Eruptions emit dust particles that can cool the atmosphere.

• Eruptions can release carbon dioxide which can warm the atmosphere.

• The weathering of volcanoes can take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.

• All of the choices.

Answer explanation

Volcanoes affect climate in multiple ways: eruptions emit dust that cools the atmosphere, release carbon dioxide that warms it, and their weathering can remove carbon dioxide. Thus, all choices are correct.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6