Module 7: Ocean Motion

Water moves in the ocean, and that movement is made possible through currents, waves, and tides. Wind pushes water by friction, creating giant surface currents that drive the climatic patterns of the globe. In some areas, the water becomes very dense and sinks back to the bottom. These differences in density cause deep water to circulate as well.

The wind also generates waves, but waves can be created by landslides, volcanoes, or even earthquakes. Eventually, waves reach shore and break in different forms.

The gravitational pull among the sun, Earth, and moon causes the tides, which is the rising and falling of the oceans water levels. Today, people are able to predict nearly when high tide and low tide occurs in areas around the world.