This tool is unofficial and not affiliated with Science Olympiad. For official rules, visit soinc.org

Dynamic Planet Rules

Division B + C

Physical & Geological Oceanography

This event covers oceanographic concepts including ocean structure, seafloor features, waves, tides, currents, and marine sediments.

View Division B Rules | View Division C Rules

Dynamic Planet Practice

Section 1: Concept Atlas

v

Interactive study hub - select a topic from the sidebar to explore key concepts.

Topics

    Select a topic from the sidebar to begin.

    Section 2: Diagram Lab

    v

    Interactive SVG diagrams - practice labeling key oceanographic features.

    Click "Generate Diagram" to start.

    Section 3: Data Interpretation Drills

    v

    Analyze synthetic oceanographic data - identify patterns and interpret profiles.

    Click "Generate Data" to create a dataset.

    Mission Mode

    Mission Configuration

    Mission History

    No missions completed yet.

    Quick Reference

    Ocean Zones by Depth

    • Epipelagic: 0-200m (sunlit)
    • Mesopelagic: 200-1000m (twilight)
    • Bathypelagic: 1000-4000m (midnight)
    • Abyssopelagic: 4000-6000m
    • Hadopelagic: 6000m+ (trenches)

    Continental Margin Features

    • Shelf: 0-200m, gentle slope
    • Slope: 200-2000m, steep (4-6deg)
    • Rise: 2000-5000m, gradual
    • Abyssal Plain: 4000-6000m, flat

    Plate Boundaries

    • Divergent: Plates apart, ridges form
    • Convergent: Plates collide, trenches/volcanoes
    • Transform: Plates slide past, earthquakes

    Wave Properties

    • Wavelength: Crest to crest distance
    • Wave Height: Trough to crest
    • Amplitude: Half of wave height
    • Period: Time for one wave cycle
    • Frequency: Waves per second (1/period)

    Tides

    • Spring tide: Sun+Moon aligned = max range
    • Neap tide: Sun+Moon at 90deg = min range
    • Diurnal: 1 high, 1 low per day
    • Semidiurnal: 2 highs, 2 lows per day
    • Mixed: Unequal highs/lows

    Currents & Gyres

    • N. Hemisphere gyres: Clockwise
    • S. Hemisphere gyres: Counter-clockwise
    • Western boundary: Fast, narrow, deep
    • Eastern boundary: Slow, wide, shallow
    • Coriolis: Right (N), Left (S)

    Water Properties

    • Avg salinity: ~35 ppt (parts per thousand)
    • Density: Increases with cold + salt
    • Thermocline: Rapid temp change layer
    • Halocline: Rapid salinity change layer
    • Pycnocline: Rapid density change layer

    Sediment Types

    • Terrigenous: From land (rivers, wind)
    • Biogenous: From organisms (shells)
    • Hydrogenous: From seawater chemistry
    • Cosmogenous: From space
    • Grain size: Decreases offshore

    Upwelling & Downwelling

    • Upwelling: Deep water rises, cold + nutrients
    • Downwelling: Surface water sinks
    • Ekman transport: 90deg to wind direction
    • Coastal upwelling: Wind parallel to coast
    • Equatorial upwelling: Trade winds diverge water

    Key Formulas

    • Wave speed: C = wavelength / period
    • Echo depth: D = (speed x time) / 2
    • Sound in water: ~1500 m/s (varies)
    • Deep water wave: depth > wavelength/2
    • Shallow wave: depth < wavelength/20