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Physical oceanography
The scientific study of the physical conditions and processes related to the motions and physical properties of ocean currents and waters.
Industry: Earth science
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Physical oceanography
Norwegian Sea
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A marginal sea of the North Atlantic Ocean which consists of the waters between the continental shelves of Norway and Spitsbergen to the east and the Mohn Ridge and Jan Mayen Ridge to the west. It ...
Tasman Sea
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A marginal sea located in the southwest Pacific centred at about 160° E and 37° S off the southwest coast of Australia. It is also surrounded by New Zealand to the east, Tasmania to the southwest, ...
Optical thickness
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A measure of the attenuation of solar radiation by the atmosphere that allows the convenience of considering as a single unit the losses due to scattering and absorption processes. The greater the ...
Stokes drift
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A mean Lagrangian current that can be generated by surface gravity waves. This is caused when water particle orbits are not closed in surface gravity waves. A steady drift results even if no mean ...
Henry Menard
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A marine geologist (1920-1986) at Scripps who in 1958 suggested a continuous process of mid-ocean ridge development.
Coastal Observation and Simulations with Topography (COAST)
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A PMEL program. COAST was conducted from Nov. 30 to Dec. 15, 1993 and the purpose was to collect the observations needed to document and ultimately anticipate the influence of orography on mesoscale ...
Slippery sea
Earth science; Physical oceanography
A phenomenon occurring in the wind-driven layer at the surface of the sea. In conditions of strong surface heating, a well-mixed warmer (and lighter) layer if formed, which is of limited depth ...
