Oceanic processes
Oceans cover nearly three quarters of the Earth’s surface and are vital to our weather and climate.
The oceans move around with similar mechanisms and physical properties to our atmosphere. Warm waters rise, cold waters sink, and the interaction between the ocean and atmosphere helps drive our weather patterns.
Understanding tides
Tides are the regular rise and fall of sea levels, caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. There are two main types of tides higher or lower than average:
Neap tides
Lower-than-average tides, occurring when the sun and moon are at right angles to Earth. The least difference between high and low tide.
Spring tides
Higher-than-average tides, happening when the sun, moon, and Earth are roughly aligned, producing the strongest gravitational pull.
The Gulf Stream: global-scale oceanic conveyor belt
The Gulf Stream is a powerful Atlantic Ocean current, part of the global thermohaline circulation (or Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation). It carries warm water from Florida along the eastern coastline of the US and Canada before crossing the Atlantic Ocean toward Europe. It ensures that the climate of Western Europe is much warmer than it would otherwise be. Driven by differences in temperature and salinity, this circulation mixes the world’s oceans and distributes heat and energy globally.
Ocean modelling and forecasting
We use advanced ocean models to predict sea conditions including sea surface temperatures to support shipping and safety at sea. An understanding of the ocean is also an important aspect of weather forecasting.
Work includes developing and managing ocean models for global and regional marine forecasting including forecasts of surface waves, storm surges and a detailed prediction of ocean hydrodynamics and biogeochemistry.