[Oceans] Ocean currents circulate the water within the Earth’s oceans. These currents are powered by several different forces. Watch the following video on ocean currents and then select the main driving forces of ocean currents from the choices listed below. video on ocean currents  

[Oceans] The following graph shows oceanic water temperature with reference to depth for equatorial, tropical, and polar (high latitude) waters. Select the line that represents the highest surface temperature.

[Ocean and Coastal Processes ] Beach erosion from storm surges and daily wave activity is a serious problem in many coastal communities. In an effort to stabilize coastlines, engineers design and install hardened structures such as the ones shown in the animation below. Select “Topics” and watch each animation. Living with the Coast Now, label the three images shown below.

[Ocean and Coastal Processes ] As waves approach shore at an angle, they refract, or turn. This leads to longshore drift: the movement of beach sediments in the down-current direction. Based on the orientation of the wave crests in the picture below, which direction will longshore drift move sediments?

[Earth’s Atmosphere]  Water vapor condenses to form clouds, but the type of cloud depends on many atmospheric conditions. Using the word bank provided, label the cloud types in the diagram.

[Winds, Fronts, and Cyclones] It is important to distinguish cyclones from hurricanes. While both are powerful storm systems, there are notable differences. Drag the following terms onto the storm type they describe.

[Ocean and Coastal Processes ] The Earth’s oceans are part of a dynamic system. The temperature and salinity of the water varies across the globe. These differences result in variations in water density, which drives the major oceanic currents in a process called thermohaline circulation. Which type of water is densest?

[Earth’s Atmosphere]  Ozone molecules in the Earth’s stratosphere act to protect the Earth from ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. The following image shows relative concentrations of O3 (ozone). Click on the area where you would expect ultraviolet radiation to be the highest.

[Ocean and Coastal Processes ] Just east of Long Beach is an inlet near Point Lookout. This is an important shipping channel. What structure would you want to install along this inlet to prevent sediments from getting deposited in the channel?

[Volcanic Hazards] There are no towns near the Laki craters, but there is a cell tower on a nearby ridge and a hydroelectric plant within the Skaftá River Gorge. While explosive volcanic hazards like ashfall are not impacted by topography at all, lava flows are significantly influenced by topography. Lava, like water, tends to follow the path of least resistance. This usually means flowing downhill. Which of the two pieces of infrastructure is at greater risk from lava flows if Laki were to have another large eruption?