14.0 Earth’s Oceans

There’s no doubting the power of the ocean when you look at this photo. The surfer is riding a huge wave to shore. Not all ocean waves are this big. But all the world’s oceans have waves. Waves are just one way that ocean water moves. Other ways include tides and currents.

Ocean water doesn’t move like a stream. It doesn’t flow downhill. So why does the water move? What causes waves and other ocean motions? In this chapter, you’ll find out.