Where do squids live in the ocean

Lab # 5 (Summer ’17 version) —Earth Science

Oceanography (and the Giant Squid!)

Purpose: To study the features and processes of ocean and shoreline regions, and to study a marine organism whose habitat is the ocean.

Introduction: Oceanography is sometimes referred to as an interdisciplinary science as it includes pieces from geology, biology, chemistry, and physics. In Part I of this lab, you will look at geological features of the ocean floor. Also presented in Part I, is material relating to ocean waves and their effects on costal shorelines.

As stated, one part of oceanography deals with the biology of the Earth’s oceans and in Part II of the lab you will study Architeuthis dux, the giant squid. We will use a website that is part of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and this particular part was built around the 1999 Expedition to the Kaikoura Canyon that lies in the ocean off the coast of New Zealand. Kaikoura Canyon is about 1750 m (5700 ft) deep and connects to the Kermadec Trench which is one of the deepest parts of the ocean at 10,000 m (33,000 ft or 6 ¼ miles) below sea level.

Think about these numbers in terms of continental geography:

1) Mt. Magazine is the highest point in Arkansas as well as being the highest point between the Appalachian Mountains in the east and the Rocky Mountains in the west. It is about 1690 m (2700 ft) tall, and

2) Mt. Everest is considered the highest mountain in the world, is about 9,000 m (29,000 ft) tall.

Although we will use the parts of the website that deal with the squid itself, you are welcome to explore any of the links on the site’s homepage.

Procedure:

1. Read the rest of the information on this exercise BEFORE starting the lab.

1. Print this page to use while doing the lab.

1. Part I of the lab uses the Mastering Geology website.

1. Part II uses the Smithsonian website.

Part I

1. Go to the following website www.masteringgeology.com and login

Login: patricepsmith11@Gmail.com

Password: Pilar0525

1. Click on the GEODe Earth Science link on the left hand side of the screen

1. On the Main Menu click on the Floor of the Ocean link.

1. Continue within the Main Menu and click on the Coastal Processes link.

Part II

1. This part of the lab uses the Smithsonian website and you should click on (or type) http://invertebrates.si.edu/giant_squid/index.html.

1. Read the information. Select “next” when you finish with a page.

1. Continue this pattern—reading each screen and answering questions—until you have finished everything on the menu.

Questions:

(Mastering Geology – GEODe - Floor of the Ocean)

1. How does one find the depth using an echo sounder?

1. What is the depth in frame 5? Show work.

1. What is the major difference between data gathered by an echo sounder and that gathered by a multi-beam sonar?

1. How are satellites used to measure peaks and valleys on the ocean floor?

1. In frame 16, use the mouse to move the map so that it shows both coasts of the U.S. What is the major feature that is different between the two coasts?

1. What are the three broad zones of the ocean floor?

1. Where are passive margins found?

1. What is a continental shelf?

1. What is the difference between continental slope and continental rise?

1. What are abyssal plains?

1. What is an example of a deep ocean trench?

(Note: In part II, the Kermadec Trough (trench) shown in frame 33 is mentioned.)

1. What is a seamount?

1. What is the longest topographic feature on Earth’s surface?

1. Where would one find a rift valley in the ocean?

1. Where would one find the Tonga Trench?

(Mastering Geology – GEODe – Coastal Processes)

1. What is the source of energy causing most waves that hit costal shorelines?

1. What is wavelength?

1. As a wave gets near a shoreline, what happens to its speed? Its height?

1. What is beach drift?

1. What are spits?

1. What is a tombolo?

1. What happens on each side of a groin?

1. What happens to beach area behind breakwaters?

1. What is a wave-cut cliff?

1. What is wave refraction?

1. What is the relationship between sea arches and sea stacks?

(Architeuthis dux)

1. What is an invertebrate? What is the largest invertebrate on Earth?

1. What creature from Norwegian folklore was probably based on sightings of the giant squid?

1. What is a teuthologist?

1. Based on today’s science, how large are the suckers on a giant squid?

1. What material composes a squid’s beak?

1. In the 1990’s, where did fishermen catch the greatest number of giant squids?

1. What are some differences between a giant squid’s arms and tentacles?

1. What is the purpose of radula inside a squid’s mouth?

1. What are two types of motion associated with a giant squid?

1. What causes squids to need to move very fast if the adults can reach prey 30 feet away?

1. What is the probable limit for the lifespan of a giant squid?

1. How do giant squids compensate for a short lifetime and therefore limited reproductive opportunities?

1. Do giant squids live in groups? Explain your answer.

1. If a giant squid survives until it is about ½ adult size, what predator is its main threat?

1. What is the relative size of giant squid’s eye compared to an adult human?

1. What are two possible ways for a giant squid to capture food?

1. According to the experts, where in the ocean do giant squids live?

1. What will the expedition do with bio-acoustical listening devices?