Ocean Motion

OCEAN MOTION!

Waves

Waves The up and down movement of surface water.

Waves are really energy!

Water moves in a circular motion, while the energy moves forward!

What makes a wave?

Most waves are caused by wind and can grow in size according to: 1. Speed of wind2. How long the wind blows3. How far (distance) the wind blows

Parts of a Wave

Tsunamis Giant waves caused by earthquakes and volcanoes

Storm Surge Large domes of water caused by low air pressure during hurricanes

and tropical storms.

Rogue WavesHuge wave formed by large storm

waves joining together

Streams of water that flow like rivers through the ocean.Unlike waves, currents do move water forward!Caused by wind patterns and different water densities.

Oceanshave warm

and coldcurrents.

There are 7 majorocean

currents

These currents help

determine weather &

climatepatterns

The Gulf Stream –a well known Surface Current!Part of a large current that carries warm water up the Southeastern coast of

America as well as over to Western Europe.

Types of CurrentsSurface Current: Flow across surface of ocean

Caused by prevailing winds (Gulfstream)

Shoreline Currents: local currents that run along the shorecaused and changed by winds and shifting sand

Longshore Current: type of shoreline current that carries large amounts of beach material from one place to another.

Rip Current: shoreline current that flows away from beach (very dangerous to swimmers!)

Deep Ocean Currents – caused by differences in water temperature. Cold water is heavier than warm water so it sinks.

Currents do not move in a straight linebecause Earth’s rotation causes them to bend.

Currents in Northern Hemisphere flow clockwise

Currents in Southern Hemisphere flow counter-clockwise

TIDES

Tides The daily rise and fall of the level of the ocean. Caused by the pull of gravity from the sun and

moon.

The bulges of water on either side of the earthare called HIGH TIDESThe low-water levelsare called LOW TIDES.

And now….for some ocean humor!