1. Using the map provided above and the definition of gyre, how many gyres does the Earth have? Use the ocean they are located in to list them.
North Equatorial, South. Equatorial, North Pacific, South Pacific, North Atlantic & South. Atlantic.
2. If ne degree of latitude is equivalent to 69.047 statute miles, how many miles across is the Central North Pacific Gyre? Using othe map, estimate the surface area of the gyre.
About 420 miles.
3. If the surface of the California Current flows at approximately 1 km per hour, how far will a piece of marine debris move in 1 week?
168 km.
4. The North Pacific Current is warmer and faster than the California Current. It travels at speeds in the hundreds of kilometers per hour. SEAPLEX observers collected bottles written in Korean and Chinese (in addition to English). If the bottles floated across the Pacific Ocean from Asian shores, what is the least amount of time the bottles were in the water?
5. If the Pacific Ocean is approximately 17,000 km from east to west , how many days would it take the research vessel, New Horizon, traveling at a maximum speed of 10 knots to cross it?
6. If the Eastern edge of the Pacific Gyre is located approximately 1000 miles off the coast of California, how ong would it take the New Horizon to reach it?
7. On average the New Horizon ship uses 1000 gallons of fuel per day. Do you believe that the amount of fuel it takes to reach the Patch is worth using in order to study the Garbage Patch?
8. Some activists note that plastic collected from the gyre can be recycled and converted into diesel fuel. In the October 2009 issue of Rolling Stone, Captain Charles Moore argues that there is no way the Garbage Patch can be cleaned up because the collection of the small pieces of plastic is impractical.research these two opinions and list three supporting arguments for each one.
9.Debris that avoids being pulled into the gyre and continues to circulate around the Pacific Ocean ends up on to the shores of beaches. Investigate how much plastic is found on the various shores and how much is estimated to be in the ocean. Which of the two collections of plastic do you feel should have a greater priority in terms of public policy and why?
10. Research information about the Central North Pacific Gyre over the last 10 years. What information and catch phrases seem to persist throughout your research? Why do you think the media continues to use these phrases and ideas? Has any new information surfaced over thoe last year?
Conclusions: in your opinion what should be done about the plastic accumulating in the Pacific Ocean, and other gyres. Use what you understand about the size of the Pacific Ocean and the ocean currents to support your arguments. Prepare a 3-minute presentation to explain what you understand about the size of the ocean and the current understanding of the situation too support your opinion.
North Equatorial, South. Equatorial, North Pacific, South Pacific, North Atlantic & South. Atlantic.
2. If ne degree of latitude is equivalent to 69.047 statute miles, how many miles across is the Central North Pacific Gyre? Using othe map, estimate the surface area of the gyre.
About 420 miles.
3. If the surface of the California Current flows at approximately 1 km per hour, how far will a piece of marine debris move in 1 week?
168 km.
4. The North Pacific Current is warmer and faster than the California Current. It travels at speeds in the hundreds of kilometers per hour. SEAPLEX observers collected bottles written in Korean and Chinese (in addition to English). If the bottles floated across the Pacific Ocean from Asian shores, what is the least amount of time the bottles were in the water?
5. If the Pacific Ocean is approximately 17,000 km from east to west , how many days would it take the research vessel, New Horizon, traveling at a maximum speed of 10 knots to cross it?
6. If the Eastern edge of the Pacific Gyre is located approximately 1000 miles off the coast of California, how ong would it take the New Horizon to reach it?
7. On average the New Horizon ship uses 1000 gallons of fuel per day. Do you believe that the amount of fuel it takes to reach the Patch is worth using in order to study the Garbage Patch?
8. Some activists note that plastic collected from the gyre can be recycled and converted into diesel fuel. In the October 2009 issue of Rolling Stone, Captain Charles Moore argues that there is no way the Garbage Patch can be cleaned up because the collection of the small pieces of plastic is impractical.research these two opinions and list three supporting arguments for each one.
9.Debris that avoids being pulled into the gyre and continues to circulate around the Pacific Ocean ends up on to the shores of beaches. Investigate how much plastic is found on the various shores and how much is estimated to be in the ocean. Which of the two collections of plastic do you feel should have a greater priority in terms of public policy and why?
10. Research information about the Central North Pacific Gyre over the last 10 years. What information and catch phrases seem to persist throughout your research? Why do you think the media continues to use these phrases and ideas? Has any new information surfaced over thoe last year?
Conclusions: in your opinion what should be done about the plastic accumulating in the Pacific Ocean, and other gyres. Use what you understand about the size of the Pacific Ocean and the ocean currents to support your arguments. Prepare a 3-minute presentation to explain what you understand about the size of the ocean and the current understanding of the situation too support your opinion.