Environment
Waves
1. Capillary waves – very small.
2. Storm waves – large – 30 m +.
3. Wind causes waves.
4. Only the wave shape or energy moves.
5. The effects of the wave stops at a depth of 45m.
6. Waves are measured by height and length.
7. When a wave is as deep as its height, bottom friction slows the forward speed, it bunches up and becomes higher and steeper then breaks.
8. They cause a ripple affect on the sand running parallel to the shore (handy for natural navigation)
Tides
1. Twice daily.
2. Tides result from gravitational interaction between the earth, sun and moon. Also topographical features.
3. The moon has most effect.
4. Tidal wave results from seismic activity.
Currents
1. Coriolis effect – Northern Hemisphere – deflections to the right.
2. As a result water piles up in the middle of the pacific ocean.
3. Northern hemisphere trade winds blow from the NE to SW.
4. Currents negligible at depths of 190m.
5. Wind energy and the coriolis effect drives the ocean currents.
6. Northern hemisphere major ocean currents flow clockwise.
7. Southern hemisphere major ocean currents flow counter-clockwise.
