Links to an external site.<\/span><\/span><\/a>). Changing the values for latitude and longitude in the windows above the graph and redrawing it provides comparable data profile for any location in the ocean, although resetting the depth and temperature range may be necessary. These figures provide a visual guide to the depth of the thermocline across the North Pacific, as shown in the image below and as described and illustrated in the subsequent video.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
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Question 1: In the North Pacific at co-ordinates of 30\u00b0N, 120\u00b0W what is the approximate water temperature at 500 m depth and how does the temperature at this depth change at 10\u00b0 longitude intervals in proceeding westward at 30\u00b0N to 130\u00b0W, 140\u00b0W, 150\u00b0W, 160\u00b0W, 170\u00b0W, 180\u00b0, 170\u00b0E, 160\u00b0E, 150\u00b0E, and 140\u00b0E?<\/p>\n
A strong answer will specify the temperature at 500m depth for each of these locations, thereby defining the changes in temperature observed in moving westward at 30\u00b0N from 120\u00b0W to 140\u00b0E.<\/em><\/p>\n(Please note that W longitudes, such as 130\u00b0W and 140\u00b0W, represent locations in the eastern Pacific and E longitudes, such as 150\u00b0E, and 140\u00b0E, represent locations in the western Pacific)<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/em><\/p>\nQuestion 2: <\/em>Describe the overall trend in temperatures at 500 m depth in the North Pacific in proceeding westward at 30\u00b0N from 120\u00b0W to 130\u00b0E. Do these ocean temperature data for the North Pacific support or refute the hypothesis that the thermocline in ocean gyres is lowered by the process of downwelling associated with Ekman transport and geostrophic flow?<\/span><\/p>\nA strong answer will summarize variations in temperature at 500m depth for this transect across the North Pacific at 30\u00b0N<\/em> and explain whether the observed longitudinal variations in temperature profiles with depth are consistent with the hypothesis.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/em><\/span><\/p>\nQuestion 3: <\/em><\/span>Bonus Question (5 points)<\/strong><\/p>\nDo changes in the shape of the temperature profile with depth from the surface to ~ 700 m over the longitudinal profile of the North Pacific provide supporting evidence for a lowered thermocline in the western North Pacific? Is there other evidence for vertical transport of water in the western North Pacific that might also confirm or refute the hypothesis?<\/p>\n
A strong answer will assess whether longitudinal changes in the depth profile of temperatures from the surface to 700m across the North Pacific provide support for the <\/em> to the hypothesis and suggest how other data that reflect the vertical movement of water might contribute to the confirmation or refutation of the hypothesis.<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/p>\n \n