Geophysics of the Oceans

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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