Geo 002 Midterm #2 2026 Exam
Questions and Verified Answers
| Already Graded A+
What is a steady state? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔An unvarying condition in a
physical process
What is the relationship between inflow and outflow in a steady state
system? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔In a steady state, or equilibrium condition, inflows
and outflows are perfectly balanced . In other words, the potentiometric
surface is steady.
,What is the dominant reservoir for water on Earth's surface today? -
🧠ANSWER ✔✔The oceans, which contain about 96% of Earth's water.
About how much would sea level rise if all the ice present today melted? -
🧠ANSWER ✔✔If all of them were to melt, global sea level would rise
approximately 70 meters (approximately 230 feet), flooding every coastal
city on the planet.
Which holds more water vapor, cold or warm air? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔Warmer
air can hold more water vapor within it.
Does air cool or warm as it rises? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔As air rises, air pressure
at the surface is lowered. Rising air expands and cools
How are the concepts of the Ekman Spiral/Ekman Transport and the
Coriolis Effect related? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔The Ekman spiral is a
consequence of the coriolis effect. When the surface water moves by the
wind, they drag the deeper layers with them. Each layer of water is moved
by friction from the shallower layer and each deeper layer moves more
slowly than the layer above it.
Why does upwelling occur along the ITCZ? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔At the equator
there are no Coriolis forces present. Instead, trade winds from the north
, east and south east come together to form what is known as the Inter-
Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). This causes upwelling either side of
the equator and bring nutrients to the Galapagos Islands via the Cromwell
Current.
What drives circulation in the surface ocean? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔Surface
currents in the ocean are driven by global wind systems that are fueled by
energy from the Sun.
Are the wind-driven gyres in the Northern Hemisphere clockwise or
counter-clockwise. Do these gyres move warm water north or south? -
🧠ANSWER ✔✔In the Northern Hemisphere, ocean currents are deflected
to the right, in a clockwise motion. In the Southern Hemisphere, ocean
currents are pushed to the left, in a counterclockwise motion.
What is the relationship between wind flow, Ekman transport, and upwelling
in coastal regions? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔In coastal areas where prevailing
winds blow along the coast, Ekman transport causes surface water to flow
offshore. This movement of water away from the coast at the surface
causes deeper water to upwell. This upwelled water tends to be rich in
nutrients, making coastal upwelling zones highly productive areas.
COPYRIGHT©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2026. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY
3
STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Questions and Verified Answers
| Already Graded A+
What is a steady state? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔An unvarying condition in a
physical process
What is the relationship between inflow and outflow in a steady state
system? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔In a steady state, or equilibrium condition, inflows
and outflows are perfectly balanced . In other words, the potentiometric
surface is steady.
,What is the dominant reservoir for water on Earth's surface today? -
🧠ANSWER ✔✔The oceans, which contain about 96% of Earth's water.
About how much would sea level rise if all the ice present today melted? -
🧠ANSWER ✔✔If all of them were to melt, global sea level would rise
approximately 70 meters (approximately 230 feet), flooding every coastal
city on the planet.
Which holds more water vapor, cold or warm air? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔Warmer
air can hold more water vapor within it.
Does air cool or warm as it rises? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔As air rises, air pressure
at the surface is lowered. Rising air expands and cools
How are the concepts of the Ekman Spiral/Ekman Transport and the
Coriolis Effect related? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔The Ekman spiral is a
consequence of the coriolis effect. When the surface water moves by the
wind, they drag the deeper layers with them. Each layer of water is moved
by friction from the shallower layer and each deeper layer moves more
slowly than the layer above it.
Why does upwelling occur along the ITCZ? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔At the equator
there are no Coriolis forces present. Instead, trade winds from the north
, east and south east come together to form what is known as the Inter-
Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). This causes upwelling either side of
the equator and bring nutrients to the Galapagos Islands via the Cromwell
Current.
What drives circulation in the surface ocean? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔Surface
currents in the ocean are driven by global wind systems that are fueled by
energy from the Sun.
Are the wind-driven gyres in the Northern Hemisphere clockwise or
counter-clockwise. Do these gyres move warm water north or south? -
🧠ANSWER ✔✔In the Northern Hemisphere, ocean currents are deflected
to the right, in a clockwise motion. In the Southern Hemisphere, ocean
currents are pushed to the left, in a counterclockwise motion.
What is the relationship between wind flow, Ekman transport, and upwelling
in coastal regions? - 🧠ANSWER ✔✔In coastal areas where prevailing
winds blow along the coast, Ekman transport causes surface water to flow
offshore. This movement of water away from the coast at the surface
causes deeper water to upwell. This upwelled water tends to be rich in
nutrients, making coastal upwelling zones highly productive areas.
COPYRIGHT©JOSHCLAY 2025/2026. YEAR PUBLISHED 2026. COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 619652435. TERMS OF USE. PRIVACY
3
STATEMENT. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
