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what are the various types of water movement that occur in the oceans? |
Various types of water movement that occur in oceans are Waves, Tides and Ocean Currents. Waves The surface of the Earth’s oceans is in constant motion, moving up and down in the form of waves. These waves are mostly created by the wind. There are three factors wind that determine the size of the wave: 1) the speed of the wind, 2) the distance over which the wind has blown, and 3) the length of time that the wind has blown. The greater each of these factors, the bigger the wave. Waves can also form when a rapid shift in ocean water is caused by underwater earthquakes, landslides, or meteors that hit the ocean. These waves are called tsunami. Tides The most important factor affecting the movement of water across the ocean is the tides. Tides are the daily changes in the level of the ocean water at any given place. Tides are great bulges of water caused by the gravity of the Moon and Sun. Attracted by gravity, these bulges move around the Earth’s oceans, causing water levels to rise and fall. Typically water will rise for about six hours, followed by six hours of falling water depths. The tidal range is the difference between the ocean level at high tide and the ocean at low tide. Some places have a greater tidal range than others. Ocean Currents There are a number of ocean currents found around the Earth. A current is like a vast river within the ocean, flowing from one place to another. Currents are determined by three major factors: the major overall global wind patterns, the rotation of the Earth, and the shape of ocean basins. Currents are responsible for a vast amount of movement of the water found in the Earth’s oceans. |