Aquatic Science Overview

A hurricane is a large, rotating storm system that forms over water, bringing high winds, rough seas, and heavy rain. Hurricanes occur where —

• the ocean has extremely high tides.

• ocean water is the coolest, near the pole in the late winter.

• ocean water is the warmest, near the equator in the late summer.

• the ocean has extremely low tides.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

During an El Niño weather event, trade winds across the Pacific Ocean weaken, and waters along the coast of Peru and Ecuador become unusually warm. The warmer ocean waters result in —

• the formation of numerous thunderstorms along the South American coast.

• many days of clear, cold weather along the South American coast.

• many days of clear, warm weather along the South American coast.

• the formation of numerous hurricanes along the South American coast.

Tags

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La Niña is a weather event that can cause floods and droughts in different parts of the world. La Niña usually begins with a cooling of the —

• soil in North America.

• mountains in South America.

• sea ice in Antarctica.

• tropical eastern Pacific Ocean.

Tags

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Tropical depressions tend to originate over —

• sandy deserts, where water is likely to rise as vapor and remain in the air as clouds.

• sea ice, where water is likely to rise as vapor and later fall as snow.

• large lakes, where water is likely to rise as vapor and remain in the air as fog.

• warm oceans, where water is likely to rise as vapor and later fall as rain.

Tags

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Changes in ocean temperature affect weather because they influence interactions between the —

• land and air at the edges of the ocean.

• air and water at the bottom of the ocean.

• air and water at the surface of the ocean.

• land and water at the bottom of the ocean

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

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The ocean most affected by the El Niño weather event is the ______ Ocean.

• Arctic

• India

• Atlantic

• Pacific

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

During the time period that an El Niño is occurring —

• The food supply for fish in the region is increased.

• There is a buildup of warm water off the coast of South America.

• The trade winds get stronger and cause a cooling of the surface water of the ocean.

• The normal weather does not change very much.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

What is the main obstacle that fish moving from freshwater to marine environments must deal with?

• Sand on the floor

• Wind

• The salinity of the water

• Ship traffic

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A scientist learns about two currents in an ocean. Arrows on the map show these currents.

Information in the map will MOST help people to —

• Predict storms

• Build faster boats

• Prevent hurricanes

• Stop water pollution

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

A scientist learns about ocean currents between two islands. Arrows on the map show these currents.

What this scientist learned will MOST help people understand why the two islands have different —

• Animals

• Coastlines

• Mountains

• Temperatures

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6