1. 13.2 Ocean Waves
El Niño – a change in the water temperature in the Pacific Ocean that produces a warm current (more severe)
La Niña – a change in the eastern Pacific Ocean in which the surface water temperature becomes unusually cool

2. 13.2 Ocean Waves
upwelling – happens near the shore where cold nutrient-filled water rises to replace the warm water that has been blown out to sea by the wind
Good for fish and seabirds because the nutrients are brought to the surface
El Nino can interrupt upwelling

3. 13.2 Ocean Waves crest – highest point of a wave
trough – lowest point of a wave
wave length – the distance between two wave crests or two wave troughs
wave height – the distance between the wave crest and the wave trough
wave period – the time it takes for two waves to pass over a fixed point

4. 13.2 Ocean Waves
breaker zone – the near-shore area where waves are at their highest point right as they begin to break or tumble downward
Surfers surf on the breaker zone
surf – the near-shore area where waves have broken and the water is calmer
Surfers DO NOT surf on the surf
white caps – white foaming waves with steep crests that break in the open ocean
Heavy winds or storms can cause white caps
swells – steady waves out in the open ocean

5. 13.2 Ocean Waves
tsunamis – large waves that form in the ocean due to an underwater earthquake, volcanic eruptions, landslides, underwater explosions, or a meteorite hitting the ocean
storm surge – a rise in sea level near the shore that was caused by strong winds, hurricanes, or a tsunami (flood)