Spreading
Renowned oceanographer and geophysicist Walter Munk observes that spreading decreases the energy of sound as it travels. Energy loss due to spreading is proportional to the square of the distance from the source.
Food for Thought: Conditions Required for Photosynthesis
The first step in the primary production process is photosynthesis. It can only take place if certain critical conditions are met, including the presence of light and chemical nutrients. Temperature also plays a role, with reactions proceeding more ...
Sea Level Change Over Time
Renowned oceanographer and geophysicist Walter Munk talks about the rise in sea level since the last Ice Age. Professor Munk notes that the geologic record indicates that sea level has risen by one hundred and twenty meters since that time--an amoun...
Wave Prediction and Military Operations
Renowned oceanographer and geophysicist Walter Munk talks about the role wave prediction played in the planning of amphibious landings during World War II.
Wave Prediction and the Normandy Invasion
Renowned oceanographer and geophysicist Walter Munk talks about the role wave prediction played in the planning of the Normandy Invasion during World War II. He recalls that the invasion was actually postponed one day because of predictions of unfav...
Global Warming and Sea Level Change
Renowned oceanographer and geophysicist Walter Munk talks about the relationship between global warming and sea level change. Professor Munk points out that, contrary to popular belief, the melting of floating ice does not change sea level. It is th...
Food for Thought: Transfer of Energy, The
While the term "food chain" is still used by some to describe the transfer of energy between organisms, others contend that the complex nature of this process is better described by the word "web," rather than "chain."
How Tides Work
Renowned oceanographer and geophysicist Walter Munk talks about the role of gravity and the Moon in tidal processes. He also discusses early ideas about tides in the days before Sir Isaac Newton developed his theory of gravity.
Internal Waves
Renowned oceanographer and geophysicist Walter Munk talks about the role of internal waves in ocean dynamics. He notes that only in recent years have oceanographers come to understand that internal waves can have a profound impact on what happens ne...
Food for Thought: Primary Producers and Photosynthesis
Primary producers are marine organisms so small that most of them can't be seen individually without magnification. But despite their small size, primary producers are extremely important. They take energy from other sources-primarily the sun-and us...