Ocean Current Quiz
o
90 N
Landfall
1992, 1994, 1998,
2001,2003
Landfall
2003
1 Sitka
X
45N 178E
Accident O
Jan.1992
o
60 N
7
X
Subpolar
Gyre
Maine
X
6
Landfall
2003
o
30 N
Subtropical
Gyre X
4 Hawaii
o
0
Indonesia
3
Australia
5
A few months
after the storm
(late 1992)
2
South America
o
30 S
o
o
120 E
o
150 E
o
180
o
150 W
o
120 W
o
o
90 W
60 W
o
30 W
o
0
o
60 S
30 E
Question 1
In January 1992 a storm swept 29,000 rubber ducks into the North Pacific. Since then the
ducks have landed on beaches around the world. Oceanographers use information about
the duck 'land-falls' to study ocean currents, but must be careful only to use only reliable
reports.
Three of the sightings in the map above are unlikely. Which are they?
1. Sitka, Alaska, in 1992 and for years afterwards.
2. Australia: A few months after the accident (late 1992).
3. Indonesia: A few months after the accident.
4. Hawaii: some time in 1994.
5. Peru, South America: A few months after the accident.
6. Maine, U.S East coast: in 2003.
7. Shetland, U.K.: in late 2003.
Question 2
What is the name of the ocean gyre where the ducks went round and round for years
before landing in Alaska in 1992, 1994, 1998, 2001 and 2003?
1. The Antarctic circumpolar current
2. The Pacific Subpolar Gyre
3. The Pacific Subtropical Gyre
4. The Atlantic Subpolar Gyre
Turn over for more questions
Sea surface temperature (SST)
0
2
4
6
8
10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 oC
6
5
60o N
SUBPOLAR
GYRE
2
1
NORTH ATLANTIC
SUBTROPICAL
GYRE
30o N
3
4
0o
SOUTH ATLANTIC
SUBTROPICAL
GYRE
30o S
60o S
90o W
60o W
30o W
0o
30o E
Question 3
The Atlantic has 3 ocean gyres created by the ocean currents.
Can you name of the currents in the two North Atlantic gyres, numbered on the map?
(Hint: two of the currents below are not part of the North Atlantic ocean gyres.)
North Atlantic Equatorial Current
Gulf Stream
North Atlantic Drift Current
Norwegian Current
Irminger Current
Canary Current
Antarctic Circumpolar Current
Labrador Current