Physical oceanography

Physical oceanography is the study of the physical processes affecting and being driven by the Earth's oceans, including:

• ocean currents, including:
  • wind-driven surface currents [see Upwelling]
  • geostrophic currents [see Coriolis effect]
  • thermohaline circulation [see Thermohaline circulation, Global conveyor belt]
• water masses [see Water mass, North Atlantic Deep Water]
• tides [see Tide, Tidal resonance, Tidal locking]
• stability of the water column [see Density (sea water)]
• mixing and turbulence [see fluid dynamics]