Environment, Ocean Science and the Natural World
Hydrography, tides, waves, bathymetry and marine geology glossary (page 2)
The measurement of the sea surface, water column, and seafloor: tidal harmonic analysis and the principal constituents, chart datum and Lowest Astronomical Tide, wave spectra (Pierson-Moskowitz, JONSWAP), multibeam bathymetry compiled into the GEBCO grid and Seabed 2030, and marine geology of margins, ridges, seamounts, vents, and methane hydrates. Includes IHO standards S-44 and S-100, GLOSS, PSMSL, and the IODP.
278 defined terms.
Showing 28 on this page (page 2 of 2).
T
- Turbidite
- Sediment deposit formed by a turbidity current.
- Turbidity Current
- Density flow of sediment-laden water down a submarine slope.
U
- UKHO
- United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, publisher of Admiralty charts.
- UNCLOS Article 76
- Provision defining the outer limits of the continental shelf.
- Underway Bathymetry
- Bathymetric data collected during transits between survey lines.
- Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM)
- Coordinate system using a series of zones for mapping.
- Uplift (Tectonic)
- Vertical rise of crust due to tectonic processes.
- USACE Surveys
- US Army Corps of Engineers hydrographic surveys, especially in inland waters.
V
- Velocity of Sound in Water
- Speed of sound in seawater, depending on temperature, salinity, and pressure.
- Vent Field
- Cluster of hydrothermal vents in close proximity.
- Vertical Datum
- Reference surface for elevations or depths.
- Volcanic Arc
- Curved chain of volcanoes above a subduction zone.
- Vorpal Tide
- Not standard.
W
- Wave Crest
- Highest point of a wave profile.
- Wave Period
- Time between successive wave crests at a fixed point.
- Wave Refraction
- Change of wave direction as waves enter water of different depths.
- Wave Setup
- Increase in mean water level near shore due to wave momentum flux.
- Wave Spectrum
- Distribution of wave energy with frequency and direction.
- Wavelength
- Horizontal distance between successive crests.
- WGS-84
- World Geodetic System 1984, GNSS datum.
- Wilson Cycle
- Long-term cycle of ocean basin opening and closing.
- WKT (Well Known Text)
- Standard text representation of geographic features.
X
- X-band radar
- 9.4 GHz band marine radar.
- X-Y Plotter
- Historical chart plotting device used in hydrography.
Y
- Yoldia Sea
- Late glacial proto-Baltic Sea phase, important in paleo-sea level reconstructions.
- Young Ocean Basin
- Recently formed basin with thin sediment cover.
Z
- Zenith Tidal Force
- Maximum tide-producing force directly below the perturbing body.
- Zone of Aeration
- Sediment layer above the water table, relevant to coastal hydrogeology.
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