Waves Transfer of energy moving through a medium http://javiajando.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/waves2.jpg Transfer of energy moving through a medium
Ocean Waves=Orbital Waves Water particles move in a circular motion as energy passes through, however there is no net movement http://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/Demos/waves/wavemotion.html
The Anatomy of a Wave http://secoora.org/webfm_send/264
Crest-highest part of the wave Trough-lowest part of the wave The Anatomy of a Wave Crest-highest part of the wave Trough-lowest part of the wave Wave Length-distance from crest to crest Wave Height-height from the crest to trough http://secoora.org/webfm_send/264
Frequency-number of waves passing per second The Anatomy of a Wave Frequency-number of waves passing per second Period-time it takes for water to move one complete wavelength Period = 1 / frequency http://secoora.org/webfm_send/2 64
Factors Affecting Waves of the Ocean -Fetch- the distance of open water over which wind can blow (The larger the distance, the larger the wave) -Various wavelength sizes can cause rogue waves -Region where the waves break on the shore are known as the surf zone
A large mass of continuously moving ocean water Currents A large mass of continuously moving ocean water
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/facts/currents.jpg
Surface Currents Occurs at the surface Caused by the wind Direction dependent on the Coriolis Effect http://www.ces.fau.edu/files/education/teachers/coet/global_winds.gif
Coriolis Effect -Caused by the rotation of the Earth -Will cause the Ocean currents to spin clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere
Thermohaline Circulation/Deep Water Currents Occurs below the surface Caused by a change in density due to a change in temperature or salinity http://www.abelard.org/briefings/images/conveyor1.png
Deep Water Currents An increase in salt = an increase in density A decrease in temperature = an increase in density
Importance of Currents -Influences Organism distribution -Influences Ocean Environment -Influences Weather and Climate
How do currents affect organism distribution?
Upwelling Deep nutrient-rich cold water being brought up to the surface to replace water that has been removed from the surface (demo) *Causes an increase in marine life population. Why? *Only occurs in certain locations http://www.frf.usace.army.mil/eopTemp/upwelling.jpg
How do currents affect the ocean environment?
El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Trade winds from East Pacific to the West Pacific Slow causing water from the West Pacific to slosh back to the East Pacific Changes patterns in Weather (Wetter western weather) Changes patterns in upwelling and downwelling Changes distribution of organisms
How do currents affect weather?
How do currents affect weather? -Affects the direction of wind -Affects the formation of clouds
Hurricanes