Oceanic Crust vs. Continental Crust
Geophysicist and geologist Tanya Atwater discusses the differences between continental and oceanic crust. Continental crust tends to be much thicker and would be thicker still were it not for the forces of gravity and erosion. In addition, oceanic c...
Differences Between Oceans and Continents (Part 2)
Geophysicist and geologist Tanya Atwater compares the relatively neat sea floor with continents, which she terms a "mess." She attributes these differences to the predictable and "tidy" process of seafloor spreading, as compared to the crashing toge...
Coasts Are Arbitrary
Geophysicist and geologist Tanya Atwater notes that the line between oceans and continents, commonly known as the coast, is actually very arbitrary and subject to change over time. She also talks about implications of global warming for coastal regi...
The Ocean as a Sound Channel
Renowned oceanographer and geophysicist Walter Munk talks about differences in the ways sound travels in the ocean as compared to through the air. He observes that the ocean is an ideal medium through which sound can travel.
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.
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...
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.