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.

Industry: Earth science

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Physical oceanography

Continental Zone

Earth science; Physical oceanography

In physical oceanography, a region in the Southern Ocean between the Southern ACC Front and the continent of Antarctica. It is characterized hydrographically by a water mass of uniform temperature ...

Equatorial Countercurrent

Earth science; Physical oceanography

In physical oceanography, a subsurface eastward flow that is about 100-200 m thick and 200-300 km wide. It is centered approximately on the equator, and its core lies just beneath the base of the ...

Central Water

Earth science; Physical oceanography

In physical oceanography, a term used to identify thermocline water masses in all three oceans. The water arrives at the thermocline via a process known as subduction. Central Water is characterized ...

pycnostad

Earth science; Physical oceanography

In physical oceanography, a layer where the vertical change of density is very small and displays a local minimum.

source water type

Earth science; Physical oceanography

In physical oceanography, a point on a T-S diagram indicative of a water mass. In practice, few if any water masses have T-S values identical to that of their source water types due to transformation ...

subduction

Earth science; Physical oceanography

In physical oceanography, a process whereby Ekman pumping injects surface water into intermediate depths along isopycnal surfaces. This process is responsible for the formation of the water masses in ...