Ocean EddiesIndependent circulations of cold or warm water | Generally found on either side of strong currents such as the Gulf Stream or Kuroshio | Used tactically by submarines because of the sound propagation differences that exist inside and outside the eddie circulations |
Wave HeightThe vertical distance from the crest of a wave to the trough of the wave |
FloodThe current that flows toward the shore with a rising tide |
Spilling BreakerOccur w/ Gentle Flat Beaches |
Plunging BreakerOccur w/ Moderate to Steep sloping Beaches |
Four Major Ocean SedimentsTerrigenous | Pelagic | Glacial Marine | Volcanic |
PressureSound Speed increases 2 feet/second for every increase in depth of 100 feet | Dominant controller of speed below 1000 feet in the ocean |
Small Craft WarningWinds Sustained at 18-33 knots | Forecasted for harbors and inland waters |
Tropical Cyclone Conditions of Readiness - TCCORTCCOR 5 - Destructive winds are possible within 96 hours | TCCOR 4 - Destructive winds are possible within 72 hours | TCCOR 3 - Destructive winds are possible within 48 hours | TCCOR 2 - Destructive winds are anticipated within 24 hours | TCCOR 1 - Destructive winds are occurring or anticipated within 12 hours |
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program - DMSPLEO, Polar Orbiting Satellites | 6 satellites in orbit |
Wind DirectionAverage direction from which wind is blowing |
Air MassBody of Air over a Large Area | Takes on characteristics of the Underlying Surface | Temperature and Moisture Characteristics are the Same |
Tropical DepressionAn organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined, closed surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of less than 34 knots |
| | Cold EddyCold Eddies form on the south side of the Gulf Stream and maintain a counterclockwise circulation |
BioluminescenceThe types are sheet, spark, and glowing ball. | Most bioluminescence in the oceans is sheet-type | Spark-type displays are created by large numbers of crustaceans | Glowing ball displays are seen most frequently in warmer waters. Luminescent jellyfish cause many glowing-ball displays |
Littoral Longshore CurrentsCaused by Waves Approaching the Beach at an Angle | Increase Velocity with Increased Breaker Heights | Steep Beaches have stronger currents |
Surging BreakerOccur w/ Very Steep Sloping Beaches and are dangerous for Landing Craft |
3 Thermal Layers of the OceanMixed/Surface Layer | Thermocline | Deep Layer |
SalinitySound Speed increases 4 feet/second for every increase in salinity of 1ppt | Effects are greatest for Ocean water in areas of high evaporation and high influxes of fresh water |
Gale WarningWinds Sustained at 34-47 knots | Forecasted for harbors, inland waters, ocean areas, installations, and air fields |
the Nautical AlmanacContains the following data tabulated at hourly intervals to a precision of 0.1 arc minute: the Greenwich hour angle and declination of the Sun, Moon, and navigational planets; the Greenwich hour angle of Aries; positions of the navigational stars; rise and set times of the Sun and Moon for a range of latitudes |
Geostationary Operational Ent'l Satellites - GOES24/7 Coverage over the same Geographic Region | Monitors weather systems and storms | 4 GOES Satellites in Orbit |
Relative HumidityPercentage of the amount of water in the air compared to how much water can actually be held based on temperature & pressure |
Tropical StormA distinct rotation must exist around the central area of low pressure and wind speeds must be between 34 and 63 knots. At this point the tropical storm is given a name. |
| | Warm EddyWarm Eddies form on the north side of the Gulf Stream and drift into the colder waters of the Labrador Current maintaining their clockwise rotation |
Sea WavesAlso known as wind waves, are waves generated by the wind in the local area |
Wave PeriodThe time it takes for a complete wave cycle (crest to crest or trough to trough) to pass a given point |
Open Ocean CurrentsMajor Currents like the Gulf Stream and Kuroshio |
Ocean FrontsInterface btwn 2 Water Masses of Different Temperatures and Salinities |
Mixed/Surface LayerIsothermal Temperature with Depth | From the ocean surface to about 1500 feet |
TemperaturePrimary Controller of Sound Speed in the top 1000 feet of the ocean | Sound Speed increases 6 feet/second for an increase in 1 degree centigrade |
Storm WarningWinds Sustained at 48 knots and greater | Forecasted for harbors, inland waters, ocean areas, installations and airfields |
the Astronomical AlmanacContains precise ephemerides of the Sun, Moon, planets, and satellites, data for eclipses and other astronomical phenomena for a given year |
Polar Operational Ent'l Satellites - POESA.K.A. TIROS-N Satellites | Collects Data Globally | There are 6 POES Satellites in orbit |
Wind SpeedAverage rate of air motion | Measured in nautical miles/hour or Knots |
Cold FrontDisplaces Warm Air at the Surface |
Restricted VisibilityPrevailing Visibility falls below 7 Nautical Miles or 10 Statute Miles |
Hurricane/TyphoonWind speeds must be at least 64 knots |
| | Thunderstorms - TSFormed when cumulous clouds grow into cumulonimbus clouds |
Bathythermograph - BTThe measurement and recording of subsurface water temperature at various depths | BT data is the critical factor in determining the sound velocity profile (SVP) of a particular ocean area |
Swell WavesWaves that have moved away from the area in which they were formed |
EbbThe current that flows away from the shore with a falling tide |
Rip CurrentsNOT Associated w/ Tides | Caused by return flow of water from the beach | Form at the end of a beach where land juts out into the water |
5 Major Ocean ProvincesContinental Shelf | Continental Slope | Continental Rise | Ocean Basins | Mid-Ocean Ridges |
ThermoclineDescribe by its rapid decrease in temperature with depth from the layer above it |
METOC & GEOINTMETOC data is a layer of Geospatial Intelligence and is critical to planning and operations in the joint environment |
Severe Thunderstorm WarningTS are w/in 10NM or an hour away | Gusts of 50 kts or Greater = 3/4" Hail and/or Tornadoes |
Nat'l Polar Orbiting Ent'l Satellite System-NPOESSWill Replace the POES and DMSP |
Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission-TRMMJoint venture btwn NASA and Japanese Nat'l Space Development Agency | Research the water cycle in the atmosphere |
FrontsTransitions between two Air Masses |
FogSuspension of small water droplets or ice crystals in the air that reduces visibility at the surface |
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