Home > Industry/Domain > Earth science > Physical oceanography

Physical oceanography

The scientific study of the physical conditions and processes related to the motions and physical properties of ocean currents and waters.

Contributors in Physical oceanography

Physical oceanography

Basin

Earth science; Physical oceanography

The official IHO definition for this undersea feature name is "a depression, in the sea floor, more or less equidimensional in plan and of variable extent."

Caldera

Earth science; Physical oceanography

The official IHO definition for this undersea feature name is "a collapsed or partially–collapse seamount, commonly of annular shape."

Precision

Earth science; Physical oceanography

The repeatability of an instrument, measured by the mean deviation of a set of measurements from the average value. Contrast this to accuracy. As an example of the difference, an instrument can ...

Surf beat

Earth science; Physical oceanography

The rising and falling of the water level in the surf zone at intervals in the vicinity of 2 to 5 minutes, especially noticeable on a flat beach. This is caused by the pattern of incoming waves being ...

Paleobiology

Earth science; Physical oceanography

The science dealing with the fields of evolution, ecology and the subsequent taphonomy of extinct animals and plants.

Continental slope

Earth science; Physical oceanography

The relatively steep slope usually found between the continental shelf and the abyssal plain. Continental slopes range from 3 to 6° in slope (with 4° being about average), range in depth from 100-300 ...

Greenland Sea

Earth science; Physical oceanography

The regional sea in the North Atlantic Ocean which comprises the waters in the Greenland Basin. The average depth is about 2866 m. In the summer, the volume of the Greenland Sea consists of about 85% ...

Featured blossaries

Unsung Science Heroines

Category: Science   1 11 Terms

Magic

Category: Entertainment   1 20 Terms