Jason-3 is a satellite mission designed for monitoring sea surface height (SSH) and ocean dynamics. Launched on January 17, 2016, Jason-3 is the fourth satellite in a series of missions that began with TOPEX/Poseidon in 1992 and continued with Jason-1 and Jason-2.

The Indian Monsoon Current refers to the seasonal ocean currents that are influenced by the Indian monsoon, a significant weather phenomenon that affects the Indian subcontinent. The monsoon season, typically occurring from June to September, is characterized by heavy rainfall due to the southwest winds that carry moisture from the Indian Ocean. ### Key Features of the Indian Monsoon Current: 1. **Seasonal Variation**: The monsoon current is predominantly a summer phenomenon.

The Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) is a long-term climate variability pattern in the Pacific Ocean that can influence climatic conditions across the globe. It is characterized by fluctuations in sea surface temperatures (SST) and atmospheric pressure across the Pacific Ocean on interdecadal timescales, typically spanning several decades. The IPO can switch between phases, similar to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), but with much longer cycles.

A list of recorded icebergs by area typically includes notable icebergs that have been measured and documented due to their size and impact on the environment or shipping lanes. Icebergs are generally classified by their size, with "large" icebergs being those that exceed 5,000 square meters.

Lithogenic silica refers to silica (SiO₂) that originates from geological processes, particularly from the weathering of silicate minerals. It is primarily found in terrestrial environments and contributes to the formation of sedimentary rocks, such as sandstone and quartzite. Lithogenic silica is distinguished from biogenic silica, which is produced by biological processes, such as the accumulation of diatoms and other siliceous organisms in marine environments.

The Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) was an international research program established in the late 1980s to investigate the role of the oceans in the global carbon cycle and to better understand the biological and physical processes that drive oceanic carbon fluxes. The program aimed to quantify how carbon is exchanged between the atmosphere and the ocean, and how this process affects climate change and marine ecosystems.

Nonlinear tides refer to the complex behavior of ocean tides that cannot be adequately described by the linear superposition of tidal constituents. Traditional tidal models often rely on linear approximations, where the effects of different forces (like the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun) are summed linearly. However, in reality, tidal motion and the response of the ocean to these forces can exhibit nonlinear characteristics due to various factors.

The "Region of Freshwater Influence" (ROFI) refers to areas where freshwater from rivers, glaciers, or other sources significantly interacts with and impacts marine environments, particularly estuaries, coastal zones, and the adjacent ocean. This influence can manifest through various physical, chemical, and biological processes. Key characteristics of ROFIs include: 1. **Salinity Gradients**: Since freshwater is less dense than saltwater, it creates a gradient where salinity levels change rapidly.

Relative wind stress refers to the force exerted by the wind on a surface, such as the ocean's surface or a land surface, taking into account the relative motion between the wind and the surface. In meteorology and oceanography, it is an important factor in understanding various phenomena, such as ocean circulation, wave formation, and the transfer of momentum between the atmosphere and the ocean.

The Kaikō ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) is a specialized underwater robot used for deep-sea exploration and research. Developed by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), the Kaikō ROV is notable for its design and capabilities, enabling it to operate at extreme depths of up to several thousand meters in the ocean.

La Niña is a climatic phenomenon that is part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle. It is characterized by the cooling of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, particularly near the equator. This phenomenon typically occurs every few years and can last for several months to years.

Lagrangian Ocean Analysis is a method used in oceanography to study and understand ocean dynamics, currents, and the movement of particles or fluid parcels within the ocean. The term "Lagrangian" refers to a perspective in fluid dynamics that focuses on the motion of individual particles as they move through the fluid, rather than looking at fixed points in space (which is called a Eulerian perspective).

The Sverdrup balance is a fundamental concept in oceanography that describes the relationship between the wind-driven circulation of the ocean and the resulting geostrophic flow. It is named after the Norwegian oceanographer Fridtjof Nansen Sverdrup.

Longshore drift, also known as littoral drift, is a geological process that involves the movement of sediment along the coast by wave action. It occurs when waves approach the shore at an angle, carrying sand and pebbles up the beach. As the waves break and recede, gravity pulls the sediment back down the slope of the beach in a direct line, resulting in a zigzag pattern of movement along the coastline.

The lunitidal interval is the time difference between the local high tide and the local mean noon, which is calculated based on the lunar cycle. It represents the period it takes for the tide to peak after the moon is directly overhead or underfoot. This interval varies depending on the position of the moon, the geographical location, and local factors affecting tides, such as the shape of the coastline and the depth of the water.

The Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) is a large-scale scientific program in the United States designed to collect and provide open-access data on various aspects of the ocean environment. It was established by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and aims to enhance our understanding of oceanographic processes and the dynamics of the ocean's ecosystems. The OOI employs a network of complex sensors and underwater instruments deployed in key ocean locations.

Ocean acoustic tomography is a technique used to study and monitor the properties and dynamics of the ocean environment through the use of sound waves. It involves sending acoustic signals (or sound waves) through the water and measuring the travel time of these signals between various points, typically across long distances. The fundamental idea behind this method is that the speed and behavior of sound in water are influenced by environmental conditions such as temperature, salinity, and pressure.

The mixed layer is a concept in oceanography and atmospheric science that refers to a layer of water or air where properties like temperature, salinity, and density are relatively uniform due to mixing processes. This layer is particularly important in the study of ocean dynamics, climate, and weather patterns. ### In the Ocean In oceanography, the mixed layer is the upper layer of the ocean that is well-mixed by wind, waves, and currents.

Mona Canyon is a significant underwater canyon located near the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, off the coast of Washington State in the United States. It is an important geological feature in the region, as it is part of the larger Juan de Fuca Ridge system and plays a key role in the oceanographic processes of the area. The canyon is known for its depth and complex geology, which includes steep walls and a variety of sediment types.