Marine Biology #10: Wind, Waves & Tides II

These flashcards cover key concepts related to ocean currents, waves, upwelling, downwelling, and tsunami phenomena discussed in lecture.

Western Boundary Currents

Deepest and fastest ocean currents that flow towards the poles, such as the Gulf Stream.

Eastern Boundary Currents

Slower moving currents typically wider than western boundary currents, flowing towards the equator.

Transverse Currents

Currents that connect eastern and western boundary currents.

Coriolis Effect

The deflection of moving objects caused by the rotation of the Earth, affecting the flow of air and water.

Ekman Transport

The net motion of fluid as a result of a balance between Coriolis and turbulent drag forces.

Thermocline

A layer in a water body where there is a rapid change in temperature with depth.

Halocline

A layer of rapid salinity change in water that can affect density and stratification.

Upwelling

The process where deep, cold water rises to the surface, usually bringing nutrients.

Downwelling

The process where surface water sinks, typically caused by wind pushing it down.

Tsunami

A series of large ocean waves caused by underwater disruptions such as earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.

Fetch

The distance over which wind blows across the water surface to generate waves.

Deep Water Waves

Waves that occur in water deeper than half their wavelength.

Shallow Water Waves

Waves in water shallower than half their wavelength, where they lose energy and increase in height.

Wave Height

The distance from the trough to the crest of a wave.

Wavelength

The distance from one wave crest to the next.

Free Waves

Waves that are no longer affected by their generating force.

Plunging Breakers

Waves that break with a sudden plunge, commonly seen in steep coastlines.

Spilling Breakers

Waves that break gradually, typically seen on flatter beaches.