Geology 104--Earth Science
Exam #4 Study Guide
Be able to compare and contrast mid-latitude cyclones and tropical cyclones (hurricanes) in terms of shape, size, associated fronts, spin, horizontal movement, and energy sources.
How do oceanographers define salinity? How do the temperature and salinity of sea water change with latitude? How do the temperature and density of sea water change with depth in the low vs. high latitudes? Understand the difference between a thermocline and a pycnocline.
Be able to describe (and draw) gyre circulation in the northern and southern hemispheres. How does gyre circulation differ from thermohaline circulation?
Understand how high and low tides are generated on planet Earth.
Distinguish between erosional and depositional coastal landforms.
Important Vocabulary (not exhaustive):
| mid-latitude (extra-tropical) cyclone | gyre circulation |
| hurricane (tropical cyclone) | thermohaline circulation |
| warn front | high vs low tide |
| cold front | spring vs neap tide |
| cyclonic vs anti-cyclonic spin | spits, baymouth bars, beaches, deltas, tombolos |
| salinity | wavecut platforms, sea cliffs, sea arches, sea caves, sea stacks |
| thermocline | marine terraces |
| pycnocline |