Oceanography Chapter 5b - Ocean Tides, Waves, and Currents Exam
Questions and Answers With complete solution–Expert Verified | Latest
Questions 2025-2026
What is the Japanese word for 'harbor wave' that refers to large ocean movements? -
Tsunami
What events can cause tsunamis? - Underwater landslides, hurricanes, volcanic
eruptions, or earthquakes.
How fast can a tsunami travel in the open ocean? - Just under 550 miles (890 km) per
hour.
What happens to a tsunami as it approaches the shore? - It becomes destructive due to
friction with the sea bottom, causing the water to 'pile up'.
What was the height of the tsunami waves that destroyed the Scotch Cap lighthouse in
1946? - Over 100 feet (30 m) high.
What monitoring systems are used to track tsunamis in the Pacific Ocean? - Systems
that utilize seismic data to provide advanced warnings to coastal populations.
What catastrophic tsunami event occurred in 2004? - The tsunami that hit the west
coast of Sumatra, Indonesia.
What significant historical event is described in Genesis regarding large waves? - The
breaking up of the 'fountains of the great deep' during the Flood.
What was the height and speed of the tsunamis caused by the 1883 eruption of
Krakatoa? - More than 100 feet high and with a velocity in excess of 50 miles per hour.
How far inland did the tsunamis from Krakatoa rage? - They raged inland for 1,000
yards and were still 30 feet high in places.
What unusual event occurred in May 1990 involving the container ship Hansa Carrier? -
Several containers washed overboard, releasing nearly 80,000 pairs of shoes into the
ocean.
What was the outcome for the shoes released into the ocean from the Hansa Carrier? -
They were found by beachcombers from British Columbia to Oregon, and many were
exchanged due to mismatched pairs.
What is a common misconception about tsunamis that used to be referred to as? - Tidal
waves.
, How do scientists detect seismic sea waves produced by earthquakes? - Using
seismographs.
What happens to the power of a tsunami as it spreads out in the ocean? - It becomes
unnoticeable until it approaches the shore.
What biblical account is associated with the generation of large tsunamis? - The
account of the Flood in Genesis.
What is the significance of the 'fountains of the great deep' in the context of tsunamis? -
They indicate massive seismic activity that could generate large tsunamis.
What is the impact of tsunami waves on coastal communities historically? - Tsunamis
have struck without warning, leading to destruction of towns and villages.
What role do ocean currents play in the movement of objects lost at sea? - They can
carry items like shoes across vast distances, as seen with the Hansa Carrier incident.
What is the relationship between tsunami waves and the depth of water in the ocean? -
The speed and impact of tsunami waves can depend on the depth of the water they
travel through.
What is the effect of tsunami waves on the land they encounter? - They can shape and
change the land significantly.
What can be inferred about the safety of occupants of the ark during the Flood? - They
were guided by divine intervention to avoid areas of violence caused by tsunamis.
What significant event involving plastic toys occurred on January 10, 1992? - A cargo
container full of 29,000 plastic bathtub toys spilled into the North Pacific.
How did the spilled bathtub toys assist scientific research? - They helped
oceanographers understand ocean currents as they traveled and landed on various
shores.
What is the estimated time for the ocean's 'conveyer belt' to make one complete circuit?
- About 1,000 years.
What are the two primary categories of marine currents? - Surface circulation (about
10% of ocean water) and deep water (thermohaline circulation, 90%).
What keeps ocean gyres in constant motion? - Prevailing winds and the Earth's rotation
(Coriolis effect).
Questions and Answers With complete solution–Expert Verified | Latest
Questions 2025-2026
What is the Japanese word for 'harbor wave' that refers to large ocean movements? -
Tsunami
What events can cause tsunamis? - Underwater landslides, hurricanes, volcanic
eruptions, or earthquakes.
How fast can a tsunami travel in the open ocean? - Just under 550 miles (890 km) per
hour.
What happens to a tsunami as it approaches the shore? - It becomes destructive due to
friction with the sea bottom, causing the water to 'pile up'.
What was the height of the tsunami waves that destroyed the Scotch Cap lighthouse in
1946? - Over 100 feet (30 m) high.
What monitoring systems are used to track tsunamis in the Pacific Ocean? - Systems
that utilize seismic data to provide advanced warnings to coastal populations.
What catastrophic tsunami event occurred in 2004? - The tsunami that hit the west
coast of Sumatra, Indonesia.
What significant historical event is described in Genesis regarding large waves? - The
breaking up of the 'fountains of the great deep' during the Flood.
What was the height and speed of the tsunamis caused by the 1883 eruption of
Krakatoa? - More than 100 feet high and with a velocity in excess of 50 miles per hour.
How far inland did the tsunamis from Krakatoa rage? - They raged inland for 1,000
yards and were still 30 feet high in places.
What unusual event occurred in May 1990 involving the container ship Hansa Carrier? -
Several containers washed overboard, releasing nearly 80,000 pairs of shoes into the
ocean.
What was the outcome for the shoes released into the ocean from the Hansa Carrier? -
They were found by beachcombers from British Columbia to Oregon, and many were
exchanged due to mismatched pairs.
What is a common misconception about tsunamis that used to be referred to as? - Tidal
waves.
, How do scientists detect seismic sea waves produced by earthquakes? - Using
seismographs.
What happens to the power of a tsunami as it spreads out in the ocean? - It becomes
unnoticeable until it approaches the shore.
What biblical account is associated with the generation of large tsunamis? - The
account of the Flood in Genesis.
What is the significance of the 'fountains of the great deep' in the context of tsunamis? -
They indicate massive seismic activity that could generate large tsunamis.
What is the impact of tsunami waves on coastal communities historically? - Tsunamis
have struck without warning, leading to destruction of towns and villages.
What role do ocean currents play in the movement of objects lost at sea? - They can
carry items like shoes across vast distances, as seen with the Hansa Carrier incident.
What is the relationship between tsunami waves and the depth of water in the ocean? -
The speed and impact of tsunami waves can depend on the depth of the water they
travel through.
What is the effect of tsunami waves on the land they encounter? - They can shape and
change the land significantly.
What can be inferred about the safety of occupants of the ark during the Flood? - They
were guided by divine intervention to avoid areas of violence caused by tsunamis.
What significant event involving plastic toys occurred on January 10, 1992? - A cargo
container full of 29,000 plastic bathtub toys spilled into the North Pacific.
How did the spilled bathtub toys assist scientific research? - They helped
oceanographers understand ocean currents as they traveled and landed on various
shores.
What is the estimated time for the ocean's 'conveyer belt' to make one complete circuit?
- About 1,000 years.
What are the two primary categories of marine currents? - Surface circulation (about
10% of ocean water) and deep water (thermohaline circulation, 90%).
What keeps ocean gyres in constant motion? - Prevailing winds and the Earth's rotation
(Coriolis effect).
