What is the difference between ocean currents and waves? The nature and possibilities of these phenomena

Do you know how the waters of the ocean move? What is the difference between ocean currents and waves? Are these processes connected and what benefit does a person derive from them? Let's try to answer these questions ...

Ocean Waters

The ocean acts as a single organism, which never stands still. This is the largest water body on the planet. The world ocean is divided into four regions (sometimes five) - Pacific, Atlantic, Indian and North-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, is constantly in motion, the result of which are tides, waves, currents. The emergence of these phenomena contribute to numerous processes. Some phenomena are of a regular nature, others arise suddenly.

The movement of oceanic waters depends largely on the movement of air, and its temperature affects the formation of certain properties of water. At the same time, there is a reverse effect, when the ocean affects the course of atmospheric processes.

What is the difference between ocean currents and waves?

The appearance of waves, currents, tides contributes to the constant circulation of the atmosphere, the occurrence of winds. Their formation is influenced by solar energy and the attraction of the moon. Factors affecting the strength, nature and power of water flows are the bottom relief and the motion of the Earth.

To determine what ocean currents differ from waves, let us consider both phenomena in detail. In short, we can say that the waves are formed temporarily, most often this is facilitated by wind currents above the surface of the water. Sometimes earthquakes become the cause, then not just waves appear, but tsunamis.

Flow, on the contrary, phenomena are more long-term. Their main difference from the waves is that they do not necessarily form on the surface of the water, they can also be present in its thickness. They do not always depend on the wind and often have the opposite direction.

Sea currents

We have approximately found out, than ocean currents differ from waves. Now let's talk about this in more detail. Currents are called horizontal water currents of the oceans and seas, which have a constant path and direction. It's like rivers in the middle of other waters.

Depending on the depth, they are superficial, bottom and deep. The temperature is divided into cold, warm and neutral, based on the difference compared to the surrounding waters. Classify the flow also by the nature of the origin, the nature of motion, according to physical and chemical characteristics.

The reason for their occurrence, like the waves, may be the wind. Only in this case, the wind should be constant (in certain zones) or seasonal, that is, appearing at a certain time of the year. Create a current can excess water (for example, with the melting of glaciers), or seiche level fluctuations.

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 ones - to the equator.

Nature of the waves

Usual waves for us are usually formed by streams of wind above a water surface which blow with variable speed. This phenomenon is spontaneous, so their power and size depends on the strength of the wind. In the open sea, the wave height sometimes reaches 30 meters.

As the waves move, they gradually lose their power. Their speed is proportional to the length. Very often they merge, for example, when longer ones catch up with short ones, because of either breaking or amplification of waves.

The movements of the earth's crust can cause waves of extremely large dimensions - tsunamis. They speed up to 800 kilometers per hour. Their destructive power becomes more dangerous as they approach the shore, when they reach a huge height, crashing down on the coast. In the open sea, the height of the tsunami is not high.

A separate species are tidal waves. They are regulated by the forces of gravity of celestial bodies. The height of such waves is strongly influenced by the geographical position, the terrain, in particular the ruggedness of the shore line. Some scientists talk about the connection of tidal waves and ocean currents, suggesting that the lunar tides cause some currents in the ocean.

Influence and danger of water movement

The most constant consequences are the sea currents. They carry cold and warm masses of water, affecting the climate of the continents. Warm currents make it wet, bring precipitation, cold contribute to dry weather. The continued impact of cold currents can form deserts, for example, Atacama in South America.

In times of strong waves, it is not uncommon to form breakdown currents, or rips. It is a narrow stream of water moving perpendicular to the shore, rushing from it. The danger of backflow to the ocean is that a surface water jet literally pulls everything into the open sea.

If the current is gaining a high speed, then getting out of it is quite difficult, although it is possible. For this it is worthwhile rowing not to the shore, but to the side. To ensure that vacationers do not fall into rips, special signs or red flags are often placed at the places of their occurrence.

Energy waves of the ocean

The old way to generate electricity with the help of nuclear power plants does not suit the world community any more. Alternative methods replace it. One of them is the generation of energy from ocean waves. 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 expensive, salt water corrodes everything, so maintaining the equipment in working order is not easy.

Currently, the exploitation of ocean waters is only being developed. In addition to the waves, scientists plan to use the power of tides, currents, biomass energy.