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Waves Transmit energy (not mass) across the ocean’s surface

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Presentation on theme: "Waves Transmit energy (not mass) across the ocean’s surface"— Presentation transcript:

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2 Waves Transmit energy (not mass) across the ocean’s surface
Wave – disturbances caused by the movement of energy through some medium (solid, liquid, gas)

3 Waves Most generated in the open ocean Wave height depends on
Wind velocity Wind duration FETCH – distance over which the wind blows – usually generated by a big storm

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5 Waves Described by Crest – highest part Trough – lowest part
Wavelength (L) – distance between crests/troughs Wave Height (H) – vertical distance between crest and trough

6 Waves Wave Period (T) – time for successive waves to pass a fixed point Frequency – number of wave crests/troughs passing a fixed point every second

7 Types of Waves Deep Water Waves
Move through water > ½ wavelength of the wave Do not feel the bottom Wave motion is circular

8 Types of Waves Shallow Water Waves
Move through water < ½ wavelength of the wave Feel the bottom Cannot move in a circular path, only back and forth Most waves are shallow water waves

9 Deep Water Waves Move in an orbital / circular motion
Waves do not carry water very far, but transfer energy Diameter of circle decreases with depth Wave motion non-existent below ½ wavelength

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12 Deep Water Waves When waves approach shore
Interact with seabed when depth equals ½ the distance between wave crests Orbits become restricted and elliptical Waves slow down and bunch up Waves become shallow water waves Eventually they form breakers

13 Breakers At water depths < ½ wavelength, waves feel the bottom
Wave height increases Wave length decreases Velocity decreases because waves are dragging on the bottom Wave period stays the same When wave reaches 1.3 H => Breakers

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15 Wave Refraction Wave crests can refract, or bend, if they approach the shore at an angle Caused by the change in velocity of waves as a function of water depth Only a small part of each wave feels bottom at a time so only a small part of wave slows

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18 Waves Classified By- Disturbing force – energy that causes the wave to form Restoring force – force that returns the water surface to flatness after the wave formed Wavelength – longest waves move the fastest

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21 Types of Waves Capillary waves – first to form when wind blows
Important in transferring energy from air to water to drive ocean currents Wind waves – form when wind blows over ocean surface Both are deep water waves

22 Types of Waves Seiche – pendulum-like rocking of water in a basin
No crest or trough

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24 Types of Waves Tsunami – caused by the rapid displacement of ocean water When caused by the sudden vertical movement of Earth along faults called seismic sea wave Also caused by landslides, icebergs calving, volcanic eruptions, asteroid impacts

25 Types of Waves Tsunami Resemble fast, onrushing tide
Not dangerous in open water Can travel at 212 meters per second (470 mph)

26 Although rare, there have been six major tsunamis since the U. S
Although rare, there have been six major tsunamis since the U.S. set up an early warning system in the Pacific after the 1946 tsunami in the Aleutian Islands. USGS The most devastating one in history occurred on the same subduction zone as Krakatua on Dec. 26, It was caused by the fourth largest earthquake of the last century. Nearly 300,000 people were killed and more than 1 million were displaced by the tsunami that devastated 10 countries around the Indian Ocean.

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35 Types of Waves Tides Caused by the gravitational attraction of Earth, moon and sun Tides move at a rate of 1600 km (1000 mi) per hour

36 Shallow Water Waves Seiches, tsunami and tides are all shallow water waves They have extremely long wavelengths They are always in water less than ½ their wavelength These waves move extremely fast

37 Rogue Waves Rogue waves are caused when wave trains traveling at different speeds and directions meet. They appear suddenly and may capsize boats.


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