• About
  • Special Reports
  • Topics
    • Climate
    • Earth Science
    • Oceans
    • Space & Planets
    • Health & Ecosystems
    • Culture & Policy
    • Education & Careers
    • Opinions
  • Projects
    • Postcards From the Field
    • ENGAGE
    • Editors’ Highlights
    • Editors’ Vox
    • Eos en Español
    • Eos 简体中文版
    • Print Archive: 2015–2025
  • Policy Tracker
  • Blogs
    • Research & Developments
    • The Landslide Blog
  • Newsletter
  • Submit to Eos
  • AGU.org
  • Career Center
  • Join AGU
  • Give to AGU
  • About
  • Special Reports
  • Topics
    • Climate
    • Earth Science
    • Oceans
    • Space & Planets
    • Health & Ecosystems
    • Culture & Policy
    • Education & Careers
    • Opinions
  • Projects
    • Postcards From the Field
    • ENGAGE
    • Editors’ Highlights
    • Editors’ Vox
    • Eos en Español
    • Eos 简体中文版
    • Print Archive: 2015–2025
  • Policy Tracker
  • Blogs
    • Research & Developments
    • The Landslide Blog
  • Newsletter
  • Submit to Eos
Skip to content
  • AGU.org
  • Career Center
  • Join AGU
  • Give to AGU
Eos

Eos

Science News by AGU

Support Eos
Sign Up for Newsletter
  • About
  • Special Reports
  • Topics
    • Climate
    • Earth Science
    • Oceans
    • Space & Planets
    • Health & Ecosystems
    • Culture & Policy
    • Education & Careers
    • Opinions
  • Projects
    • Postcards From the Field
    • ENGAGE
    • Editors’ Highlights
    • Editors’ Vox
    • Eos en Español
    • Eos 简体中文版
    • Print Archive: 2015–2025
  • Policy Tracker
  • Blogs
    • Research & Developments
    • The Landslide Blog
  • Newsletter
  • Submit to Eos

Lars Umlauf

Map showing the global distribution of surface-mixed layer depth.
Posted inEditors' Highlights

An Ocean Surface Layer with Potential

by Lars Umlauf 11 July 202217 August 2022

The depth of the ocean’s surface mixed layer is typically defined based on density thresholds. However, a more physically appealing definition can be constructed from potential energy considerations.

Over a dark blue-green square appear the words Special Report: The State of the Science 1 Year On.

Features from AGU Publications

Research Spotlights

How Much Will Western Wildfires Worsen Under Warming?

15 May 202615 May 2026
Editors' Highlights

A Digital Twin for Arctic Permafrost Beneath Roads

8 May 202612 May 2026
Editors' Vox

The Impact of Advocacy: American Geophysical Union’s Days of Action

14 May 202613 May 2026
Eos logo at left; AGU logo at right

About Eos
ENGAGE
Awards
Contact

Advertise
Submit
Career Center
Sitemap

© 2026 American Geophysical Union. All rights reserved Powered by Newspack