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Unit 6 HS ES Oceans
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Ocean Currents | Large-scale movements of seawater that flow through the ocean, driven by factors such as wind, temperature, salinity, and the Earth's rotation. |
| Surface Currents | Ocean currents that occur in the upper layer of the ocean, primarily driven by wind patterns and the Coriolis effect. |
| Density Currents | Deep ocean currents that are driven by differences in water density, which is influenced by temperature and salinity variations. |
| Longshore Currents | Currents that move parallel to the shoreline, caused by waves breaking at an angle to the beach, transporting sand and sediment along the coast. |
| Rip Currents | Strong, narrow channels of water that flow away from the shore, created by the interaction of waves and currents, posing a hazard to swimmers. |
| Upwellings | The process where deep, cold, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface, often supporting rich marine ecosystems and fisheries. |
| Waves | Disturbances that transfer energy through water, typically characterized by their movement, which can be caused by wind, seismic activity, or other factors. |
| Wavelength | The distance between two consecutive wave crests (the highest points of a wave). |
| Wave Height | The vertical distance between the crest (top) of a wave and the trough (bottom) of the wave. |
| Wave Frequency | The number of waves that pass a given point in a specific amount of time, usually measured in waves per second. |
| Amplitude | The height of a wave from its rest position (the midpoint) to its crest or trough, indicating the energy of the wave. |
| Salinity | The concentration of salts in water, typically measured in parts per thousand (ppt), which affects water density and ocean currents. |
| Neap Tide | A tide that occurs when the gravitational forces of the moon and sun are perpendicular to each other, resulting in lower high tides and higher low tides. |
| Spring Tide | A tide that occurs when the gravitational forces of the moon and sun are aligned, leading to higher high tides and lower low tides. |
| Coriolis Effect | The apparent deflection of moving objects (like ocean currents) due to the rotation of the Earth, causing currents in the Northern Hemisphere to turn right and in the Southern Hemisphere to turn left. |
| Water Cycle | The continuous process by which water evaporates from the Earth's surface, condenses in the atmosphere, and returns as precipitation, influencing weather and ecosystems. |
| Carbon Cycle | The process by which carbon moves through the atmosphere, oceans, and living organisms, essential for life and impacted by human activities like burning fossil fuels. |
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