waves, surface currents, etc.

• Wave formation


  1. Wind transfers energy to the water's surface, creating ripples that grow into waves

  2. Undersea earthquakes and volcanic eruptions can also generate waves (tsunamis)
• Wind waves


  The most common type, formed by wind blowing on the water's surface
• Internal waves


  Invisible waves that occur within the water column due to density differences between water layers
• Waves of seismic origin


  Tsunamis, massive waves generated by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions
• Standing waves


  Waves that appear stationary due to the overlapping of two wave trains traveling in opposite directions
• Wind surges


  Rapid rises in water level along the coast caused by strong winds associated with storms
• Surface currents


  The currents that flow in the upper ocean, typically down to 100 meters (330 ft)
• Warm currents


  Transport warm water from the equator towards the poles, influencing climate
• Cold currents


  Transport cold water from the poles towards the equator
• Deep currents


  Much slower-moving currents flowing below the surface layer
• Thermohaline circulation (global conveyor belt)


  A large-scale circulation pattern driven by temperature (thermo) and salinity (haline) differences
• Density currents


  Currents driven by density variations
• Upwelling


  The process where deep, cold, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface, often near the coast
• Tides


  The rhythmic rise and fall of the ocean surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and, to a lesser extent, the sun
• High tide


  The highest water level during the tidal cycle
• Low tide


  The lowest water level during the tidal cycle
• Diurnal tides


  One high and one low tide per day
• Semidiurnal tides


  Two high and two low tides per day
• Mixed tides


  A combination of diurnal and semidiurnal patterns