Ocean terms…

What is Oceanography?  A scientific study of the oceans  Covers a wide range of disciplines such as: biology, chemistry, geology, physics, mathematics and engineering.

The science of:  understanding oceans  how they work  how they began  how they affect us  the creatures that live in them  how they may be impacted by changes caused by human influences

Why study Oceanography?  The ocean represents different things to different people. Examples… –Careers (fisherman) –Food Source (Fishing and aquaculture) –Oil and Gas Exploration (hydrocarbons) –Transportation –Recreation –Tidal Power (Alternative energy source) –Water supply –Minerals (coals, magnesium, iron etc) –Habitation (cruise ships, house boats etc) –Dangers (Tsunamis, storm surges, property)

Vocabulary  Ocean - a large body of salt water constituting a principal part of the Earth  Sea - a large body of salty water that is often connected to an ocean. It may be partly or completely surrounded by land.

Bay - an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf

 Gulf - an arm of a sea or ocean partly enclosed by land; larger than a bay Gulf of Mexico

 Strait - a navigable channel of water that connects two larger bodies of water

 Channel - a narrow passage.

 River - a large, flowing body of water that usually empties into a sea or ocean.  Lake - a large body of water surrounded by land on all sides. Really large lakes are often called seas.

Ocean Facts Your Task: Complete the “Where in the World” Sheet