A Taylor column, named after the British scientist G.I. Taylor, is a phenomenon observed in fluid dynamics, particularly in the context of rotating fluids and geophysical flows. It occurs when a stable, rotating fluid body is subject to a disturbance, causing the fluid to adjust its motion in a way that it maintains vertical coherence, resulting in a column-like structure of fluid that extends vertically through the depth of the fluid layer.
A thermocline is a distinct layer in a body of water, such as an ocean or a lake, where the temperature gradient changes rapidly with depth. It typically occurs in the lower layers of water, separating the warmer upper layer, called the epilimnion (or mixed layer), from the colder deeper layer known as the hypolimnion.
Thermohaline circulation, often referred to as the "global conveyor belt," is a large-scale movement of seawater driven by differences in temperature (thermo) and salinity (haline) across the world's oceans. This circulation plays a crucial role in regulating climate and distributing heat, nutrients, and gases across the planet. Here's how it works: 1. **Temperature (Thermo)**: Warm water is generally found near the equator, where it is heated by the sun.
The term "thermohaline staircase" refers to a specific feature in the ocean's thermohaline circulation, characterized by a series of distinct layers of water that have varying temperatures (thermo) and salinities (haline). This phenomenon is often observed in certain regions of the ocean, particularly in areas where there is strong stratification due to differences in water density caused by temperature and salinity variations.
Tidal resonance, or resonant tides, is a phenomenon that occurs when the natural oscillation frequencies of a body of water (like an ocean or sea) align with the tidal forcing frequencies caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun. This alignment can lead to significantly heightened tidal ranges, meaning that the difference between high tide and low tide becomes much larger than normal.
Tideline can refer to a couple of different concepts based on the context: 1. **Geographical Term**: In a geographical sense, a tideline is the line along a beach or shoreline created by the highest level that the tide reaches. It is often marked by the presence of seaweed, debris, or changes in sand texture. 2. **Business or Organization**: Tideline may also refer to specific companies or organizations, particularly those focused on environmental, marine, or coastal issues.
A trochoidal wave refers to a type of wave profile that is characterized by its trochoidal shape, which is derived from the path traced by a point on the rim of a circular wheel as it rolls along a flat surface. In the context of fluid dynamics or wave theory, trochoidal waves are often used to describe the shape of certain types of water waves, particularly those that have a more complex form than the simple sinusoidal waves commonly encountered.
The Tropical Atlantic Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Dipole refers to a climate pattern characterized by the difference in sea surface temperatures between two regions in the Atlantic Ocean, generally the eastern and western parts of the tropical Atlantic. This dipole pattern can have significant implications for weather and climate, influencing precipitation patterns, tropical cyclone activity, and other atmospheric processes in both the Atlantic region and surrounding continental areas.
The Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) project is a major research initiative designed to enhance the understanding of the tropical ocean and atmosphere, particularly in relation to climate variability and changes, such as those associated with El Niño and La Niña phenomena. Launched in the late 1980s and running into the 1990s and beyond, the project primarily focuses on the equatorial Pacific Ocean, which plays a critical role in global climate systems.
A turbidite is a type of sedimentary deposit that forms from the sediment-laden water flow, known as turbidity currents. These currents occur when sediment is stirred up, typically on the continental slope or deep-sea environments, and flow downslope due to gravity. As the turbidity current travels, it typically loses energy and deposits its load of sediment, which results in a characteristic layering of sediments.
Undertow refers to the strong water currents that occur beneath the surface of waves as they break on the shore. When waves crash onto a beach, they can create a flow of water that moves back toward the ocean. This flow is often strongest just below the surface and can pull sand and debris with it, creating a current that can be hazardous for swimmers.
The upper shoreface refers to a specific coastal geomorphological zone that is part of the broader shoreface system, which includes different sedimentary environments adjacent to the shoreline. The upper shoreface typically extends from the high tide line down to the lower shoreface, which lies below the wave base.
Water mass refers to a body of water in the ocean or sea that has relatively uniform temperature, salinity, and density in a three-dimensional space. These properties influence the water's characteristics, such as its movement, circulation patterns, and interaction with marine ecosystems. Water masses are classified based on their formation mechanisms, temperature, salinity, and location.
Wave base refers to the depth in the water column at which the energy of surface waves is negligible. Below this depth, the oscillations caused by the waves diminish significantly, effectively marking the point where wave-induced movement has little to no impact on the sediments or organisms living at that depth. Typically, wave base is located at about half the wavelength of the waves. For example, if the wavelength of a wave is 20 meters, the wave base would be approximately 10 meters deep.
Wave height refers to the vertical distance between the trough (the lowest point) of a wave and its crest (the highest point). It is a critical parameter in oceanography, meteorology, and various marine activities, including navigation, fishing, and surfing. Wave height can be influenced by factors such as wind speed, wind duration, and the distance over which the wind blows across the water surface (known as fetch).
Wave setup is a phenomenon that occurs in coastal environments when waves approach the shore and generate a change in water level. As waves break on the beach, they create a buildup of water in the nearshore zone, leading to an increase in water level above the average sea level. This effect can be attributed to several factors: 1. **Wave Energy**: As waves break, the energy they carry forces water towards the shore, causing an increase in water height.
Wave shoaling is the process by which waves increase in height and decrease in wavelength as they move from deeper to shallower water. This phenomenon occurs due to the interaction between the wave energy and the ocean floor as the water depth decreases. As waves travel into shallower water, the bottom of the wave begins to interact with the sea bed, causing the wave to slow down.
Wind-wave dissipation refers to the process by which energy from wind-generated waves is lost due to various physical mechanisms. When waves are generated by wind, they carry energy across the surface of the water. However, this energy does not remain indefinitely; it dissipates over time and distance due to several factors, including: 1. **Frictional Losses**: As waves move through the water, they encounter friction against the water surface and the seabed, resulting in energy loss.
Wind-generated current refers to the flow of water in oceans, seas, or other bodies of water that is influenced by wind. This phenomenon arises primarily from the interaction between wind and the water's surface. The following are key components that explain how wind generates currents: 1. **Wind Shear**: The wind exerts friction on the surface of the water as it blows across it. This friction can transfer energy from the wind to the water, creating surface currents.