Chapter Overview
This chapter explains oceans as Earth’s major water bodies. Learn about the hydrological cycle, the structure of the ocean floor (shelves, slopes, trenches, ridges), temperature and salinity patterns, movements of water (waves, tides, currents), and the ocean’s role in climate, marine life, and human activity.
Important Keywords
- Hydrological cycle: Movement of water between oceans, land, atmosphere in vapor, liquid, solid forms :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.
- Continental shelf/slope/deep-sea plain/trench: Major ocean-floor divisions :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
- Mid-ocean ridge: Underwater mountain chain where new crust forms :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
- Thermocline: Zone (100–1000 m) of rapid temperature drop :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
- Salinity: Salt content, measured in ‰ (avg ~35‰), varies by evaporation, river input :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
- Waves: Wind-generated oscillations on ocean surface.
- Tides: Periodic rise and fall due to lunar-solar gravity.
- Ocean currents: Large-scale flows driven by wind, density, Coriolis; include surface/deep, warm/cold currents :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
Detailed Notes
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