The interdisciplinary practice of studying the ocean's properties and processes
Oceanographers
They study the physical properties of the ocean such as its temperature, salinity, circulation patterns, and the biological and ecological interactions within it
Modern oceanography began as a field of science
Late 19th Century
Geological Oceanography
The branch that explores the ocean floor and its processes, history of sea-floor spreading, plate tectonics, and oceanic circulation and climates
Wave height
The vertical distance between the crest and trough
Gyres
A type of current that is characterized by circular motion of surface currents
Depth
An abiotic factor which refers to the height of the water column found in aquatic ecosystems
Tides
The regular rise and fall of sea level that is caused primarily by the gravitational pull of the moon, and to a lesser extent, the sun
Crest
The highest point of the wave
Biological Oceanography
The branch that studies plants and animals in the marine environment
