Physical oceanography

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Physical oceanography is the study of physical conditions and physical processes within the ocean, especially the motions and physical properties of the ocean. This is usually further divided into the activities of descriptive and theoretical oceanography, the former being concerned with observing the oceans to prepare maps of the spatial and temporal variations of its properties, and the latter with constructing theoretical models to attempt to explain the observations. As in most natural sciences, most significant advances are the result of the interaction between theory and observation. Physical oceanography is not a pure science but rather an applied science in which the knowledge of many disciplines is relevant (e.g. fluid mechanics, optics (optical oceanography), acoustics (acoustical oceanography), thermodynamics, and especially in the age of satellites, electromagnetics (satellite oceanography). This is one of four sub-fields into which the general field of oceanography has been divided, the others being biological. chemical, and geological oceanography.

Contents 1 The boundaries of the world ocean 1.1 Dimensions and natural shorelines 1.2 Oceans and seas 1.3 Seafloor structure and topography 1.3.1 Abyssal plains 1.3.2 Continental slope and rise 1.3.3 Deep ocean trenches 1.3.4 Atolls, seamounts and guyots 2 Ocean water composition and chemistry 3 Ocean water circulation 3.1 Earth rotation effect 3.2 Ocean - atmosphere interface 3.2.1 Wind systems and ocean coupling 3.2.2 Waves and surface currents 3.2.3 Exchange of constituents across the interface 3.3 Equatorial effects 3.3.1 La Nina - El Nino 3.4 Density: Salinities and temperature 3.4.1 Deep ocean currents 4 Oceanic heat flux and the climate connection 5 Seashore effects 5.1 Ocean tides 5.2 Tsunamis 5.3 Sea level fluctuation 6 Seafloor spreading and plate tectonics 6.1 Mid-ocean ridge volcanism 7 See also

The boundaries of the world ocean

Dimensions and natural shorelines

Oceans and seas

Seafloor structure and topography

Abyssal plains

Continental slope and rise

Deep ocean trenches

Atolls, seamounts and guyots

Ocean water composition and chemistry

Ocean water circulation

Earth rotation effect

Ocean - atmosphere interface

Wind systems and ocean coupling

Waves and surface currents

Exchange of constituents across the interface

Equatorial effects

La Nina - El Nino

Density: Salinities and temperature

Deep ocean currents

Oceanic heat flux and the climate connection

Seashore effects

Ocean tides

Tsunamis

Sea level fluctuation

Seafloor spreading and plate tectonics

Mid-ocean ridge volcanism

See also

• ocean currents, including:
  • wind-driven surface currents (see Upwelling)
  • geostrophic currents (see Coriolis effect, secondary circulation)
  • Thermohaline circulation
• Water masses (see also North Atlantic Deep Water)
• Tides (see also Tidal resonance, Tidal locking)
• stability of the water column (see Density (sea water))
• mixing and turbulence (see fluid dynamics)
• physical features and processes on the ocean floor: oceanic trench, continental slope, continental shelf, abyssal plain, oceanic ridge, black smokers, hydrothermal circulation, seamount, atoll, and others.

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