Why the Big Island of Hawaii is the largest island
Using concepts you have learned thus far in the course, suggest possible reasons why the Big Island of Hawaii (the Southeastern-most Island of the island chain) is the largest island of the entire chain. For additional information on Loihi, the newest volcano in the chain, visit the Web site for the Hawaii Center for Volcanology (Links to an external site.). Using concepts you have learned thus far in the course, suggest possible reasons why are abyssal plains much more common in the Atlantic than in the Pacific?
View illustrations of the Wilson Cycle. Using concepts you have learned thus far in the course, suggest possible reasons and describe the formation of a new ocean in detail, giving examples from around the world, especially from East Africa. Also describe the process for the closure of a fully developed ocean.
The Gulf Stream is famous for producing turbulent rings, or eddies. Explain how the rings form, and briefly highlight differences between warm and cold core rings. For assistance, please review concepts you have learned in class or visit:
Coastal Carolina University. (n.d.). Formation of gulf stream rings (Links to an external site.). Gulf Stream Tutorials.
Explain why anticyclones rotate clockwise and cyclones rotate counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere, and why the opposite is true for the Southern Hemisphere. Using concepts you have learned thus far in the course answer the question. Be sure to mention the Coriolis Effect in your answer. Everyone must answer Question 6.
Unknown before 1977, hydrothermal vents, also known as black smokers, represent a unique environment on our planet. Take a stance of either supporting future exploration and research or calling for protection of this ecosystem. Consider if the mineral wealth associated with black smokers should be exploited, or whether such a unique ecological environment should be conserved? Think about the future in terms of building an argument to environmentally protect black smoker ecosystems or allow for exploration, research, possible mining, a potential food source, and tourism. Your answer should be 1–2 pages long. Please cite all sources according to APA format. Reference: Rubin, K. (n.d.). Hawaii Center for Volcanology (Links to an external site.). School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST). Retrieved from http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/hcv.html Garrison, T. (2015). Essentials of Oceanography (7th ed.). p. 78. Farmington, MI: Brooks/Cole Publishing. Coastal Carolina University. (n.d.). Formation of gulf stream rings (Links to an external site.). Gulf Stream Tutorials. Retrieved from http://kingfish.coastal.edu/gulfstream/p5.htm National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). (n.d.). Chapter 7: Gulf stream rings (Links to an external site.). Classic CZCS Scenes: Gulf Stream Rings. Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC). Retrieved from http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/education-and-outreach/additional/sciencefocus/classic_scenes/07_classics_rings.shtml
