MOVEMENTS OF OCEAN WATER

OCEAN WAVES

The surface of the Earth’s oceans is in constant motion, moving up and down in the form of waves. If you have been to a beach, you have witnessed waves first hand.

OCEAN CURRENTS

There are a number of ocean currents found around the Earth. A current is like a vast river within the ocean, flowing from one place to another. These currents are caused by differences in temperature, differences in salinity, and by wind. Currents are responsible for a vast amount of movement of the water found in the Earth’s oceans.

TIDES

By far the most important factor affecting the movement of water across the ocean is the tides. Tides are great bulges of water caused by the gravity of the Moon and Sun. Attracted by gravity, these bulges move around the Earth’s oceans, causing water levels to rise and fall. Typically water will rise for about six hours, followed by six hours of falling water depths.