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The amount of dissolved salts in seawater or other water. Ocean salinity varies with evaporation, precipitation, river input, ice formation and melting, and mixing between water masses. It influences seawater density, buoyancy, sound speed, freezing point and large-scale circulation. Modern oceanography commonly reports practical salinity as a dimensionless value derived from conductivity, while absolute salinity…
The vessel’s path through the water after allowing for leeway but before applying tidal or other current. In traditional chartwork, compass course is corrected to true and adjusted for leeway to obtain the water track. Adding the current vector then gives the predicted ground track, so the construction separates motion relative to the water from…
The horizontal movement of water associated with the astronomical tide. A tidal stream is described by its set, the direction towards which it flows, and its rate, usually in knots. It may reverse between flood and ebb, rotate continuously or form eddies, and its timing need not coincide with local high and low water. Predicted…
A set of charts showing predicted tidal-current direction and rate at successive stages of a tidal cycle. Arrows show set and figures commonly give spring and neap rates for hourly intervals before and after a reference port’s high water. Some atlases use different time references, symbols or interpolation methods, so the legend and edition govern…
The periodic change in sea level produced principally by the gravitational interaction of the Moon, Sun and Earth and by the Earth’s rotation. Astronomical tide is the predictable sum of many constituents whose periods and amplitudes vary by location because of basin shape, depth and coastline. It produces high and low waters and is related…
Published predictions of tidal times and heights for stated locations, dates and reference datums. Tables commonly list high and low water for standard ports and provide corrections or direct predictions for secondary locations. They may also include tidal curves, coefficients, time-zone information and explanatory notes, but tidal streams are often published separately. The correct year,…
A tidal reference location for which independent predictions of high- and low-water times and heights are published. A standard port provides the base data from which published corrections can be applied to associated secondary ports. The exact prediction method, time zone, datum, interval and available stream information depend on the responsible hydrographic publication. It is…
A narrow channel crossing or winding through a shoal, sandbank or area of shallow water. A swashway is formed and altered by tidal streams and wave action and may provide a shorter passage for suitable shallow-draught craft. Depth, width and alignment can change after storms or as banks migrate. Use requires current local and chart…
The water area a moored or anchored vessel may occupy as it rotates or moves around its restraint system. For a single anchor it is influenced by deployed rode, vessel length, anchor position and movement caused by wind and current. A mooring’s riser, chain, elasticity and seabed geometry can create a different excursion pattern rather…
A narrow projection of sand, shingle or other sediment extending from the shore into the water. A spit forms through the transport and deposition of material by waves and currents and remains attached to land at one end. Its outer end may curve or develop shoals, and parts of it can be exposed, awash or…
If you belive the Earth is flat, you're about to fall of the end...
If you belive the Earth is flat, you're about to fall of the end...
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