A halocline is a layer in a body of water where there is a rapid change in salinity with depth. This phenomenon typically occurs in oceanic and large freshwater environments, such as lakes. The halocline acts as a barrier that can separate different water masses with varying salinity, affecting water density and, consequently, mixing patterns and circulation in the water body.
Halothermal circulation refers to the movement of water masses in oceans or large bodies of water that is driven by variations in temperature (thermal) and salinity (haline) — a process often described in the context of thermohaline circulation. This type of circulation influences global climate, ocean stratification, and the distribution of marine life. In halothermal circulation, the interaction between temperature and salinity affects water density, with denser water sinking and less dense water rising, creating a circulation pattern.
The Hawaii Ocean Time-series (HOT) is a long-term oceanographic research program that focuses on studying the physical, chemical, biological, and geological characteristics of the open ocean around Hawaii, particularly in the North Pacific Ocean. Established in 1988, the HOT program is primarily based at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and is associated with the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology.
The Hawaiian Islands are a volcanic archipelago located in the central Pacific Ocean. They consist of 137 islands, atolls, and islets, with 8 main islands that are the most well-known and inhabited. These main islands are: 1. **Hawaii (The Big Island)** - The largest island, home to Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, two of the world's most active volcanoes.
The Hawaiian–Emperor seamount chain is a prominent underwater mountain range in the Pacific Ocean, known for its linear arrangement of volcanic islands and seamounts. It stretches over 3,700 miles (about 6,000 kilometers) and includes the Hawaiian Islands, as well as the Emperor Seamounts, which are submerged mountains formed by volcanic activity.
The "hundred-year wave" typically refers to a concept in hydrology and civil engineering related to the statistical analysis of water level fluctuations, particularly in the context of floods. It denotes a flood event with a probability of occurring once every hundred years, also known as the "100-year flood." This measure is used to help design infrastructure, such as bridges, dams, and levees, to withstand extreme weather events.
Hydrothermal circulation refers to the movement of water that is heated by geological processes within the Earth's crust, particularly in areas of volcanic activity or along mid-ocean ridges. This process plays a crucial role in the thermal and chemical dynamics of the Earth's crust and ocean floor. Here's how hydrothermal circulation typically works: 1. **Heat Source**: The circulation is usually driven by heat from magma or hot rocks below the Earth's surface. This heat causes water in the surrounding rock to become heated.
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.
Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) is an innovative aquaculture production system that combines different species from various trophic levels in a single farming system. The main idea behind IMTA is to utilize the waste products generated by one species as a resource for another, thereby creating a more sustainable and efficient aquaculture practice.
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.
Internal tides are oscillations or waves that occur within the ocean's thermocline, which is the layer of water between the warmer surface layer and the colder deep water. Unlike surface tides, which are generated by the gravitational forces of the moon and the sun acting on the oceans, internal tides are typically generated by the interactions of tidal forces with underwater features such as continental shelves, seamounts, and other topography.
The intertidal zone, also known as the tidal zone, is the area of the shore that lies between the high tide and low tide marks. It is a unique and dynamic ecosystem that experiences varying environmental conditions, including changes in water salinity, temperature, and exposure to air and sunlight, depending on the tidal cycle.
**Isopycnal** refers to a surface or a condition in which the density of a fluid remains constant. The term is most often used in oceanography and fluid dynamics to describe layers or surfaces within a fluid (such as seawater) that have the same density, regardless of variations in temperature or salinity. In the ocean, isopycnal surfaces can play a significant role in the movement and mixing of water masses.
Jason-1 is a satellite mission that was part of a series of oceanographic satellites designed to monitor the state of the world's oceans. Launched on December 7, 2001, Jason-1 was a collaboration between NASA and the French space agency CNES (Centre National d'Études Spatiales). The primary mission of Jason-1 was to measure sea surface height, which is crucial for understanding ocean circulation, climate change, and sea level rise.
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.
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).
Langmuir circulation is a type of large-scale, horizontal circulation pattern that occurs in the ocean, particularly in the upper layer of water. It is characterized by the formation of parallel, counter-rotating vortices, or cells, that can stretch several hundred meters in length and range from a few meters to tens of meters in width. These circulation patterns are driven primarily by wind stress on the ocean surface.