Module 7: Ocean Motion

Earth and OceanHow the ocean moves is vital to climates; therefore, it is vital to life around the world. In this module, you will learn how currents, waves, and tides are formed, and how they contribute to the movement of water and energy through the oceans. You will learn the differences between surface ocean currents and deep ocean circulation, which distribute heat and drive the Earth's climate patterns. Waves are more than just water breaking on a shore. You will learn the anatomy of a wave, how they originate and move energy, and about the types of breakers, and the strength that tsunami and seismic sea waves can carry. You may have heard of high tide and low tide. You will learn more about the causes of these tides and more, including tidal characteristics and how the moon and sun contribute to tides.

Getting Started

Current, Waves, and TidesHow much do you already know about currents, waves, and tides? In this non-graded interactivity , drag and drop each of the answers on the right to match the appropriate question on the left. Click SUBMIT to check your responses. Click the player button to begin.

 

Key Vocabulary

To view the definitions for these key vocabulary terms, visit the course glossary.

amphidromic points
funneling
shoaling
Antarctic bottom water
geostrophic current
slack current
bottom water
gyre
spilling breakers
capillary wave
high tide
spring tide
Coriolis Effect
intermediate water
standing wave (seiche)
counter currents
internal waves
surf zone
crest
La Niña
surface currents
deep water
low tide
surface water
deep-water wave
Mediterranean deep water
surging breakers
density stratification
mixed tide
swell
diffraction
monsoon currents
thermohaline circulation
disturbing force
neap tide
tidal bore
diurnal tide
North Atlantic deep water
tidal bulge
downwelling
oceanic conveyor belt
tidal range
Dynamic Theory
Pacific deep water
trough
eddies
period
tsunami
Ekman Spiral
plunging breakers
undercurrents
Ekman Transport
progressive wave
upwelling
El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
reflection
wave
equatorial doldrums
refraction
wave frequency
Equilibrium Theory
restoring force
wave height
fetch
seismic wave
wave length
flood current
semidiurnal tide
wave train
friction
shallow water wave