Wind Waves, Tides, and Tsunamis
  • The technology used to map the sea floor (TOPEX/Poseidon ) also can be used to map the size and distribution of Ocean Waves .
    1. Where are winds strongest in the oceans ( link )?
    2. Where are the largest waves usually found in the oceans ( link )?
    3. Why is the "wave climate" of such low energy along the equator (WHAT CAUSES WAVES???)
    4. What (do you think) is the value of ocean wave forecasts?
  • Want to know what Lake Michigan is doing in terms of wind, waves, water temperature and other interesting stuff? Check out Great Lakes Interactive Marine Conditions from your friendly NOAA office!
    1. Where is buoy 45007 ? What is it's elevation relative to sea-level?
    2. What is the current wind speed, wave height, and wave period at buoy 45007 in southern Lake Michigan? (be sure to note the day and time of day that you made this observation).
    Tsunamis :
    1. How do tsunamis differ from other water waves?
    2. What happens to a tsunami as it approaches land ?
    3. What happens when a tsunami encounters land ?
    4. How are people in coastal areas warned about tsunamis?
    Coasts:
  • Let's think about coasts .  They are very important to humans and life in general.
    1. Name 4 types of coasts found in the U.S.
    2. What percent of the U.S. population live within 50 miles of a coast?
    3. Are US sand beaches stable (what about the southeast US coast barrier islands)?
    4. Are US marshes and wetlands stable (what about Louisiana Coastal Wetlands )?
    5. Are US coastal fisheries healthy and productive?
  • Beaches   are only one type of coastal setting. An excerpt from the California Coastal Commission's California Coastal Resource Guide on beaches provides a perspective on the variability within even one type of coastal setting.
    1. What is a beach?
    2. One fundamental influence on beaches is the source of the sand that makes up a beach. What is the source of sand for most California beaches?  So, why does damming rivers have an effect on beaches?
  • The US Geological Survey addresses the crosses affecting the coastal oceans of the US.
    1. What are the human activities that are in conflict with natural coastal processes?
    2. Are most of the US coastal zones experiencing erosion or are they stable ?
    3. If you were going to develop a coastal restaurant, would you be wise to build on Lake Michigan (MI), on Long Island (N.Y.) or Los Angeles (California)?
  • If you are really interested in the study of beaches, the US Army Corps of Engineers maintains one of the world's premier research facilities for the study of coastal processes called the Field Research Facility of their Coastal Engineering Research Center (CERC).  (no questions asked!)

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    Marine Fisheries and Ocean Food Resources:
    Possible Solutions?
      1. What are the main benefits of building sustainable fisheries (in terms of economic, quality of life, and food resources considerations) in the United States? What is the estimated, direct net dollar value added to the US economy from restoration of commercial fishing stocks that are currently over fished?
      2. Why is it so important to focus attention on sustaining healthy coasts as a part of the overall program to enhance marine fisheries and maintain marine food resources? What is the relative proportion of the US population living near coasts? What are the conflicts of interest between human coastal habitation and preservation of marine food resources?
      3. What are the components of the NOAA Fisheries objective to Build Sustainable Fisheries ?