When huge planetary waves that spawn in the open ocean reach land, they can raise local sea levels along the coast. Could tracking these waves help scientists predict flooding months in advance?
surface waves & tides
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Energetics of Western Boundary Current Surface Flows Are Similar
Despite different wind forcing and air-sea heating conditions, the surface layer energetics of two Western Boundary Current systems in different ocean basins are surprisingly similar.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
On the Origin of Infragravity Waves
Seafloor pressure sensor data show that long-period ocean surface waves radiating from the world’s shorelines are mostly reflected back to shore by the continental shelf edge.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Tides and Waves Interact to Cause Hurricanes in Near-Space
The interaction of tides and waves generated in the lower atmosphere can cause the mean zonal wind speed in the lower ionosphere to oscillate equivalent to a category 1 hurricane at Earth’s surface.
Posted inNews
Nutrient-Rich Water Around Seamounts Lures Top Predators
At an Indian Ocean marine refuge, tides drive cold water laden with nutrients onto the tops of underwater mountains, where it sustains a long food chain that culminates in sharks, tuna, and seabirds.
Posted inEditors' Vox
Ocean Tides Affect Ice Loss from Large Polar Ice Sheets
A recent paper in Reviews of Geophysics discusses how ocean tides affect the motion of, and loss of ice from, the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets.
Posted inEditors' Highlights
Sloping Topography and Oceanic Surface Modes
An accurate understanding of the influence of ocean bottom topography helps to diagnose the velocities of subsurface currents.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Run-Ups of Unusual Size
Not all waves are created equal when it comes to eroding sandy shorelines. Here’s a look at the physics that drives the big ones.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Modeling Ocean Waves over Rocky Reefs
A field survey in Australia links rugged seafloor terrain to erosion-causing waves.
Posted inResearch Spotlights
Accounting for Accelerated East Coast Sea Level Rise
An analysis of tide gauge records and physical models shows acceleration of sea level rise on the East Coast due to melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet is especially pronounced south of 40°N latitude.