Salt fingering is a physical oceanographic process that occurs primarily in ocean waters where strong vertical salinity gradients exist, typically in regions where lighter freshwater overlays denser saltwater. It is particularly notable in areas like estuaries and regions affected by river outflows. The process involves the interplay of temperature and salinity, which can cause instability in the water column.
SeaDataNet is a European marine data infrastructure aimed at providing access to and promoting the use of marine data and information. It facilitates the management and sharing of marine data collected from various sources, including research institutions, governmental agencies, and other organizations involved in marine science and oceanography.
Sea foam, also known as ocean foam, is a light, frothy substance that occurs in marine environments, particularly along coastlines. It is formed when the agitation of seawater (due to wind, waves, and currents) causes organic matter, such as proteins, lipids, and oils, to be emulsified and whipped into bubbles. These bubbles can accumulate and create a foamy layer on the surface of the water.
The relationship between seafloor depth and age is a key concept in geology and oceanography, particularly in the context of plate tectonics and the formation of the ocean floor. Here's an overview of this relationship: 1. **Seafloor Spreading**: The seafloor is continuously formed through volcanic activity at mid-ocean ridges, where tectonic plates diverge. As magma rises from the mantle and solidifies, new oceanic crust is created.
A seamount is an underwater mountain that rises from the ocean floor but does not reach the surface of the water. Seamounts are typically formed by volcanic activity and are usually found in oceanic regions. They can vary in height and size, and they often have steep slopes, with some reaching significant elevations above the surrounding sea floor. Seamounts can serve as important habitats for marine life, providing unique ecosystems that support a variety of species, including corals, fish, and other organisms.
Seawater is water from the world's oceans and seas, characterized primarily by its high salt content. On average, seawater has a salinity of about 35 parts per thousand (ppt), meaning that in every liter of seawater, there are approximately 35 grams of dissolved salts, mainly sodium chloride (table salt). Other components of seawater include various minerals, dissolved gases (such as oxygen and carbon dioxide), organic matter, and microorganisms.
The term "shoal" can refer to a few different concepts, depending on the context: 1. **Geographical Feature**: In geography, a shoal is a natural landform that consists of a shallow part of a body of water. Shoals can be found in oceans, seas, rivers, and lakes and can pose hazards to navigation because they can be difficult to see, especially at high tide. They can be formed from sand, silt, and other sediments.
"Shore lead" typically refers to the leadership role or guidance provided to a team or organization involved in coastal or marine activities, such as environmental conservation, maritime operations, or coastal resource management. This role may involve coordinating efforts, facilitating communication among stakeholders, and ensuring that projects align with organizational goals and policies related to shoreline management.
Significant wave height (often abbreviated as Hs) is a measure used in oceanography and meteorology to quantify the height of waves in a body of water. Specifically, it is defined as the average height of the highest one-third of the waves observed over a specific period. This metric provides a useful representation of the wave conditions because it tends to give a more accurate portrayal of the sea state than simply taking the average of all wave heights.
The South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ) is a region of the South Pacific Ocean characterized by the convergence of trade winds from the southeast and northeast. This convergence zone is typically located roughly between 5° and 15° S latitude and extends from the western Pacific, near the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, to the eastern Pacific, near French Polynesia. Key features of the SPCZ include: 1. **Weather Patterns**: The SPCZ is associated with significant precipitation and thunderstorms.
The South Sandwich Trench is a deep oceanic trench located in the southern Atlantic Ocean, to the southeast of South America. It is the site where the South American Plate is being subducted beneath the Scotia Plate, making it a prominent feature of the Earth's tectonic activity. Key points about the South Sandwich Trench include: 1. **Geography**: The trench is situated near the South Sandwich Islands and extends approximately 1,550 kilometers (about 960 miles) in length.
A submarine earthquake is an earthquake that occurs beneath the ocean floor. Like other types of earthquakes, it is caused by the movement of tectonic plates and the release of accumulated stress along geological faults. The seismic waves generated by these earthquakes can vary in intensity and may lead to underwater landslides, tsunamis, and other geological events. Submarine earthquakes can occur at mid-ocean ridges, subduction zones, or transform fault boundaries, and they can significantly affect marine environments and coastal areas.
Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) refers to the flow of groundwater into the ocean or other bodies of water from underwater aquifers. This process occurs along coastlines, where freshwater from underground aquifers seeps out through sediments and interacts with seawater. SGD can occur in various forms, including: 1. **Diffuse Discharge**: A gradual and widespread movement of groundwater through sediments and into the ocean.
A submarine landslide is a rapid downward movement of sediment or rock that occurs under the sea, typically along the continental shelf or slope. These landslides can be triggered by various factors, including: 1. **Seismic Activity**: Earthquakes can destabilize underwater slopes, causing the sediment or rock to slide. 2. **Sediment Loading**: Accumulation of sediment can increase the weight on underlying layers, leading to instability.
Submersion, in the context of coastal management, refers to the process by which coastal land is inundated by rising sea levels or is affected by other water-related phenomena. This can occur due to natural processes, such as erosion or high tides, but it is increasingly linked to anthropogenic factors, especially climate change leading to rising sea levels from melting ice caps and thermal expansion of seawater.
The subtropical front, also known as the subtropical jet stream, is a boundary located in the middle latitudes of the atmosphere, typically between the latitudes of approximately 20° to 40° in both hemispheres. It represents a transition zone between the warmer, more stable air of the tropics and the cooler, more variable air of the mid-latitudes.
The surf zone is the area of water near a shore where waves break and surf conditions are prominent. It typically extends from the point where the waves begin to break (usually around the water's edge during high tide) to where the waves can still affect the bottom of the ocean floor. The characteristics of the surf zone include: 1. **Wave Activity**: This area experiences turbulent water and actively breaking waves, making it a popular spot for activities like surfing, swimming, and bodyboarding.
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.
The Tasman Front is an oceanic boundary located in the Tasman Sea, which lies between Australia and New Zealand. This front is characterized by a sharp transition between colder, nutrient-rich waters and warmer, less productive waters. The front can often influence local marine ecosystems and weather patterns. The Tasman Front plays a significant role in the dispersal of marine species and can affect fisheries in the region.
The Tasman Outflow refers to a significant oceanic current that flows out of the Tasman Sea, which is located between Australia and New Zealand. This current plays an important role in the regional oceanography of the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Key characteristics of the Tasman Outflow include: 1. **Source of Water**: It originates from the warm, tropical waters of the Coral Sea and is influenced by the East Australian Current (EAC), which flows south along the eastern coast of Australia.