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Ocean Currents
Continuous, directed movements of seawater generated by forces acting upon the water, such as wind, the Coriolis effect, temperature and salinity differences.
Gyres
Large systems of rotating ocean currents, particularly those involved with large wind movements. Gyres are caused by the Coriolis effect.
Coriolis Effect
The apparent deflection of moving objects (like water or air currents) caused by the Earth's rotation. In the Northern Hemisphere, objects are deflected to the right, while in the Southern Hemisphere they are deflected to the left.
Ekman Transport
The net motion of fluid as the result of a balance between Coriolis and turbulent drag forces.
Tides
The periodic rise and fall of sea level caused by the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun.
Spring Tides
Tides that have the greatest tidal range due to the alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Earth. Occur during the full moon and new moon.
Neap Tides
Tides that have the smallest tidal range due to the Sun and Moon being at right angles to the Earth. Occur during the first and third quarters of the moon.
Waves
Disturbances that transfer energy through a medium (like water) without significant transport of the medium itself.
Wind Waves
Generated by wind blowing over the water surface.
Tsunamis
Large, destructive waves caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides.
El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
A climate pattern that occurs in the Pacific Ocean and affects weather patterns worldwide. El Niño is characterized by warmer-than-average ocean temperatures, while La Niña is characterized by cooler-than-average temperatures.
Ocean Zones
Different layers or regions of the ocean based on depth, light penetration, and other factors.
Intertidal Zone
The area between the high tide and low tide marks, exposed to air at low tide and submerged at high tide.
Pelagic Zone
The open ocean, divided into different zones based on depth (epipelagic, mesopelagic, bathypelagic, abyssopelagic, hadopelagic).
Abyssal Zone
The deep ocean floor, typically below 4,000 meters.
Plate Tectonics
The theory that Earth's outer layer (lithosphere) is made up of plates that move and interact with each other, causing earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building.
Mid-Ocean Ridges
Underwater mountain ranges where new ocean floor is created through volcanic activity.
Ocean Trenches
Deep depressions in the ocean floor where one tectonic plate subducts (slides) beneath another.
Marine Life
The diverse organisms that live in the ocean, including plankton, nekton, and benthos.
Plankton
Microscopic organisms that drift in the water column (phytoplankton are plant-like and zooplankton are animal-like).
Nekton
Actively swimming organisms such as fish, whales, and squid.
Benthos
Organisms that live on or in the ocean floor, such as crabs, clams, and worms.