Oceanography

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Oceanography Noun

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[oh-shuh-nog-ruh-fee]

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Oceanography

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The scientific study of all aspects of the ocean, focusing on its physical, chemical, geological, and biological properties.

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Example: This image shows an oceanographic research vessel, a specialized ship equipped with cranes and other tools that scientists use to study the ocean.

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Chronometer Noun

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[kruh-nom-i-ter]

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Chronometer

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A highly accurate timekeeping instrument used for determining longitude at sea during early scientific expeditions.

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Example: A ship's chronometer keeps a precise reference time (like Greenwich). Comparing this to the local time helps sailors calculate their longitude at sea.

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Mid-Ocean Ridge Noun

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[mid-oh-shuhn rij]

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Mid-Ocean Ridge

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An underwater mountain system formed by plate tectonics where new oceanic crust is generated through seafloor spreading.

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Example: This diagram shows a cross-section of the ocean floor where magma rises, creating an underwater mountain range (oceanic ridge) and pushing tectonic plates apart.

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Abyssal Plain Noun

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[uh-bis-uhl pleyn]

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Abyssal Plain

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A vast, deep, and extremely flat area on the deep ocean floor, covered by fine-grained sediments.

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Example: This diagram shows the abyssal plain as a wide, flat area on the deep ocean floor, situated between other features like the continental slope and a mid-ocean ridge.

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Trench Noun

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[trench]

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Trench

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A long, narrow, and very deep depression in the ocean floor formed where one tectonic plate subducts under another.

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Example: This diagram shows an oceanic trench, a deep valley in the ocean floor, forming where a dense oceanic plate sinks under a continental plate.

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Seamount Noun

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[see-mount]

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Seamount

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An underwater mountain rising from the ocean floor that is an active or extinct volcano.

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Example: This diagram shows a seamount as a large underwater mountain rising from the ocean floor that does not reach the water's surface.

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Seafloor Spreading Noun

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[see-flor spred-ing]

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Seafloor Spreading

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The geologic process at mid-ocean ridges where new oceanic crust is formed as tectonic plates move apart.

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Example: Magma rises between two separating oceanic plates, cools to form new crust, and pushes the older seafloor away from the ridge, causing it to spread.

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Salinity Noun

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[suh-lin-i-tee]

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Salinity

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A measure of the total concentration of all dissolved salts and minerals present in a body of water.

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Example: This diagram shows how polar water molecules pull apart a salt crystal into individual positive (cation) and negative (anion) ions, creating dissolved salt.

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Thermocline Noun

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[thur-moh-klahyn]

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Thermocline

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A distinct layer in water where temperature changes more rapidly with depth than in the layers above or below.

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Example: This graph shows that as ocean depth increases, the water temperature drops rapidly in a specific layer, which is called the thermocline.

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Coriolis Effect Noun

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[kawr-ee-oh-lis ih-fekt]

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Coriolis Effect

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The deflection of moving objects, like ocean currents, caused by the Earth's rotation, to the right in the Northern Hemisphere.

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Example: Due to the Earth's rotation, moving objects like winds and ocean currents are deflected, curving to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and left in the Southern.