Nudibranch of the week Berghia coerulescens Found in European waters

Motion in the ocean

Surface circulation Motion is most intense at the top of the water column due to the wind, sun and Coriolis Effect. The Coriolis Effect deflects motion to the right in the Northern Hemisphere. It causes surface currents to move at a 45 degrees from the wind that drives them. Ekman spirals are formed in the water column from this effect. Wind is created from the sun and affected by the Coriolis effect. Trade winds Westerlies Polar Easterlies

Currents Wind driven surface currents under the effect of the wind and Coriolis effect combine into huge systems called gyres. Gyres from the Equator carry heat to the higher latitudes. These help to regulate the climate of the planet. Example: El Nino

Waves Parts of a wave trough/ Height Wavelength period The affect the organisms that live on the shore Waves form when the wind begins to blow Fetch Seas Swell surf

Rogue waves Every year severe waves and tidal surge cause massive damage and sometimes kill people. Rogue waves form when different waves happen to meet at the same place and same time. Most deadliest waves are tsunamis.

tides The rising and falling of the sea surface in a rhythmic pattern Dominant influence on sea life of the shore Caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and the rotation of the planet

More tides Full tidal cycles take 24 hours and 50 minutes When the sun and moon are in line with each other their effects add together Tidal range Spring tides Neap tides

Bay of fundy The highest tidal range in the world Nova Scotia, Canada Ranges from 11 to 53 feet In the US, the largest tidal range is found in Alaska at Cook Inlet

Tides in the real world Tide tables are used to predict the time and height of tides in coastal areas Most places have 2 high tides and 2 low tides a day (semidiurnal) Mixed semidiurnal diurnal

Rubber duckies