Hands On: Need for More Oceanographers, The
Oceanography's rapid growth requires that sizable numbers of eager young scientists join the ranks of established veterans.
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 g..
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 profo..
Isostasy
Geophysicist and geologist Tanya Atwater discusses isostasy, which allows objects at the surface of Earth to float in equilibrium, and talks about how it helps define Earth's topography.
Its in the Water: Measuring Salinity
Efforts to measure salinity have long been a fundamental part of chemical oceanography. At one time, this was done by simply weighing the salt. Then, for years, salinity was determined based on the concentration of chlor..
Its in the Water: Ocean and Carbon Dioxide, The
The exchange of gasses, like carbon dioxide, is a critical aspect of the ongoing and dynamic interaction between the ocean and the atmosphere. Scientists are very interested in the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxid..
Its in the Water: Salinity, Density, and Temperature
Obtaining accurate salinity measurements is vitally important because salt, along with temperature, has a significant impact on the density of seawater. And this, in turn, greatly affects ocean structure and circulation.
Its in the Water: Seawater, Freshwater and Salt
While both seawater and freshwater contain a wide array of minerals and other constituents, the amount of salt in seawater is generally greater than in any other large body of standing water. There are a number of ways i..
Its in the Water: Thermohaline Circulation
Thermohaline circulation is driven by differences in temperature and salinity, as opposed to circulation driven by wind. Understanding patterns of water movement may be crucial to better understanding global climate and ..
Its in the Water: Water's Chemical Structure
Water's unique chemical structure gives it much higher freezing and boiling points than would otherwise be the case. This has a great deal to do with Earth being as hospitable to life as it is. That same chemical structu..