Waves, Tides, and Currents MOTION IN THE OCEAN Waves, Tides, and Currents

Waves A disturbance which moves through or over the surface of a fluid Mostly caused by winds (Also earthquakes, volcanoes, grav. pull) Form of great energy

Wave Characteristics Parts of a Wave Crest = high point Trough = low point Height = vertical distance from crest to trough Wavelength = Horizontal distance between crest to crest or trough to trough

Size of Wind Generated Waves Depends on 3 things: Wind Speed Wind Duration (length of time wind blows) “Fetch” Extent of open water across which the wind can blow

Importance of Waves Shaping Coastlines Ecology Erode cliffs Grind rock into sand Ecology Returns O2 to water Stir up food for filter feeders

TSUNAMI “TIDAL WAVE” Caused by undersea quake or volcano Wavelength = ~150 mi. Wave height = 6” – 1’ Can NOT perceive in boat Speed > 500 mph Slows down to ~25 mph at shore; water builds up to ~65+ ft

Tsunami Waves

Creation of a Tsunami

Tides The rhythmic rise and fall of the ocean’s water High tide = rising, incoming tide, flow Low tide = receding, outgoing tide, ebb Slack tide = vertical movement stops

Tides are very long, slow waves They have a wave period of 12 hours 25 min Tidal day is 24 hours 50 min NJ has 2 high and 2 low tides daily

What Causes Tides? 1. Gravitational pull of sun & moon on Earth Moon closer, therefore > effect Like magnet, pulls water away from surface = TIDAL BULGE

Types of Tides Spring Tide - Moon and sun are in direct line with one another - Results in unusually high tidal range Tidal Range = vertical distance between high & low tides 2x’s/month

Neap Tide sun and moon are at right angles Pulls cancel each other out – causes a weak pull unusually low tidal range 2 x’s / month

Spring vs. Neap Tides

Importance of Tides Expose & submerge orgs Circulate water in bays & estuaries Circulates food, wastes, etc Trigger spawning (grunion, horseshoe crab)

Currents What are currents? Causes - “Rivers” of circulating water - Wind - Rotating Earth - Density Changes

Surface Ocean Currents Broad, slow drifts; never cross equator Wind generated; circular gyres

Coriolis Effect - N. Hemis – clockwise; Right - S. Hemis – counterclockwise; Left

Gulf Stream - N. Atlantic - Brings warm water from equator north along east coast of N. A. Sometimes form eddies – circulating water that pinches off from the current

IMPORTANCE OF SURF. CURRENTS NAVIGATION MIGRATION WEATHER

Localized Surface Currents Longshore Current. Flows parallel to shore; move sediment

RIP CURRENT - Caused by converging longshore currents - Very dangerous ; Red Flag - DO NOT fight rip current; swim parallel to shore to get out of channel

Deep Ocean Currents Flow beneath surface; cross equator Separated from surface currents by boundary called a “Thermohaline” (diff in densities) Move North to South

Importance Of Deep Currents Upwelling Brings deep water to surf. Circulates nutrients up Moves plankton & larvae