Do you know how the ocean moves? How are ocean currents different from waves? Are these processes connected and what benefits does a person derive from them? Let's try to answer these questions ...
Ocean waters
The ocean acts as a single organism that never stands still. It is the largest water body on the planet. The oceans are divided into four regions (sometimes five) - Pacific, Atlantic, Indian and Arctic, based on its differences and features in different regions.
It develops and interacts with the earth's crust and atmosphere. The ocean does not stand still, constantly in motion, resulting in tides, waves, currents. The emergence of these phenomena contribute to numerous processes. Some phenomena are regular, others occur suddenly.
The movement of ocean water largely depends on the movement of air, and its temperature affects the formation of certain properties of water. At the same time, there is the opposite effect, when the ocean affects the course of atmospheric processes.
How are ocean currents different from waves?
The emergence of waves, currents, tides contributes to the constant circulation of the atmosphere, the occurrence of winds. Their formation is affected by solar energy and the attraction of the moon. Factors affecting the strength, nature and power of water flows are the topography and movement of the Earth.
To determine how ocean currents differ from waves, we consider both phenomena in detail. In short, it can be said that waves form temporarily, most often this is facilitated by wind flows above the surface of the water. Sometimes earthquakes become the cause, then there are not just waves, but tsunamis.
Currents, on the contrary, are more long-term phenomena. Their main difference from the waves is that they are not necessarily formed on the surface of the water, and may be present in its thickness. They do not always depend on the wind and often have the opposite direction with it.
Sea currents
We have approximately found out how ocean currents differ from waves. Now let's talk about this in more detail. Currents are called horizontal water flows of oceans and seas, which have a constant path and direction. It is like a river in the middle of other waters.
Depending on the depth, they are superficial, bottom and deep. By temperature, they are divided into cold, warm and neutral, based on the difference compared with the surrounding waters. The currents are also classified by the nature of the occurrence, the nature of the movement, and the physical and chemical characteristics.
The cause of their occurrence, like waves, may be the wind. Only in this case should the wind be constant (in certain zones) or seasonal, that is, appearing at a certain time of the year. Excess water can create a flow (for example, when glaciers melt), or seiche fluctuations in its level.
The main reason for the formation of currents is the atmosphere. Uneven heating of air in different latitudes creates its circulation, which contributes to the formation of ocean currents. Warm, as a rule, carry their waters from the equator, cold - to the equator.
Nature of the waves
The waves that are familiar to us are usually formed by wind flows over the water surface, which blow at a variable speed. This phenomenon is spontaneous, therefore their power and size depend on the strength of the wind. In the open sea, the wave height sometimes reaches 30 meters.
As you move the waves gradually lose their strength. Their speed is proportional to length. Very often they merge, for example, when longer ones catch up with short ones, from which either breaking or amplification of the waves occurs.
The movements of the earth's crust can cause waves of extremely large sizes - tsunamis. They gain speed up to 800 kilometers per hour. Their destructive power becomes more dangerous as they approach the shore when they reach great heights, collapsing on the coast. In the open sea, the height of the tsunami is small.
A separate view is tidal waves. They are regulated by the forces of attraction of celestial bodies. The height of such waves is strongly influenced by the geographical position, the terrain, in particular the ruggedness of the coastline. Some scientists talk about the relationship between tidal waves and ocean currents, suggesting that lunar tides cause some currents in the ocean.
Influence and dangers of water movement
The most permanent consequences are sea currents. They carry cold and warm masses of water, affecting the climate of the continents. Warm currents make it moist, rainfall, cold contribute to dry weather. Continuous exposure to cold flows can form deserts, such as Atacama in South America.
During strong waves, fenders, or rips , are often formed. This is a narrow stream of water, moving perpendicular to the shore, rushing from it. The danger of the reverse flow into the ocean is that the surface water jet literally drags everything into the open sea.
If the current is gaining high speed, then getting out of it is quite difficult, although it is quite possible. To do this, it is worth rowing not to the shore, but to the side. So that vacationers do not fall into rips, special signs or red flags are often placed at their places of origin.
Ocean Wave Energy
The old way to generate electricity through nuclear plants no longer suits the world community. He is being replaced by alternative methods. One of them is getting energy from ocean waves. The potential for this exists in Australia, South Africa, Western Europe, North and South America on the Pacific coast.
You can also use waves to desalinate water. However, this method is too costly, salt water corrodes everything, so maintaining equipment in working condition is not easy.
Currently, ocean water exploitation capabilities are only being developed. In addition to waves, scientists plan to use the power of tides, currents, biomass energy.