Henry Stommel's Oceanography Contributions

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Questions and Answers

What significant contribution did Henry Stommel make to the understanding of ocean currents?

  • He established the correlation between wind patterns and ocean temperature.
  • He explained the effects of the Coriolis effect on ocean currents. (correct)
  • He discovered the impact of lunar cycles on ocean currents.
  • He documented the influence of terrestrial factors on surface currents.

Which publication by Stommel focused on the Gulf Stream specifically?

  • Thermohaline Circulation and Its Impacts
  • The westward intensification of wind-driven ocean currents
  • The Gulf Stream (correct)
  • Fluid Dynamics and Ocean Currents

What concept did Stommel's paper in 1948 primarily address?

  • The thermal properties of seawater
  • The geographical distribution of marine life
  • The interaction between fluid dynamics and Earth's curvature (correct)
  • The formation of oceanic gyres

What notable position did Stommel hold in 1959?

<p>Professor of Oceanography at Harvard (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key outcomes of Stommel's research on thermohaline effects?

<p>The establishment of the global conveyor belt model (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which year was Stommel awarded the United States National Medal of Science?

<p>1989 (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which research station did Stommel set up for seawater sampling?

<p>PANULIRUS (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What underlying phenomenon contributes to the sinking of seawater at the poles as studied by Stommel?

<p>High salinity and density of the water (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

What is the Coriolis effect?

The Coriolis effect causes moving objects to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere due to the Earth's rotation.

How does the Coriolis effect affect ocean currents?

It plays a major role in the formation of ocean currents, especially the Gulf Stream, by deflecting water to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

What did Henry Stommel's 1948 paper explain?

Henry Stommel's groundbreaking paper in 1948 explained how the Coriolis effect, Earth's curvature, and fluid dynamics combine to create strong currents along western ocean basin boundaries.

What is the Gulf Stream?

It is a powerful, warm ocean current that flows along the western side of the Atlantic Ocean, influenced by the Coriolis effect.

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What are surface-level currents?

They are driven primarily by wind and responsible for surface-level ocean currents, while thermohaline forces drive deep-ocean circulation.

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What is thermohaline circulation?

The process involves the sinking of dense, salty water formed at the poles, creating a global circulation system that moves water through the world's oceans.

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How do thermohaline circulation and surface currents differ?

Thermohaline circulation and surface currents are two primary drivers of ocean circulation, each having distinct characteristics and effects.

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What was the significance of Henry Stommel's contributions to oceanography?

Henry Stommel's contributions helped to establish oceanography as a major scientific field, explaining complex ocean dynamics and contributing to our understanding of global climate systems.

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Study Notes

Henry Stommel's Contributions to Oceanography

  • Henry Stommel, a US oceanographer, significantly advanced the field of oceanography.
  • He explored the driving forces behind ocean currents, including the Gulf Stream.

Key Milestones in Stommel's Career

  • 1948: Published a seminal paper, "The westward intensification of wind-driven ocean currents," explaining the dynamics of ocean currents using fluid dynamics, Earth's curvature, and the Coriolis effect. This paper significantly advanced our understanding of large-scale ocean circulation.
  • 1954: Established the PANULIRUS research station in Bermuda to collect extensive ocean data.
  • 1958: Published the book "The Gulf Stream," analyzing the current's global implications after a decade of study.
  • 1959: Became a Professor of Oceanography at Harvard, furthering his research on thermohaline effects.
  • 1989: Awarded the United States National Medal of Science for his contributions to ocean current physics.

Stommel's Educational Background and Affiliations

  • Held positions at Yale University (astronomy), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), Harvard, and MIT, with a return to WHOI later in his career.

Stommel's Theories and Discoveries

  • Explained the interplay of fluid dynamics, Earth's curvature, and the Coriolis effect in creating strong currents on the western sides of ocean basins, utilizing his understanding of complex phenomena.
  • Developed a comprehensive theory of global ocean circulation (including the global, interacting thermohaline and wind-driven currents) by explaining the mechanisms (influence of temperature and salinity variations) that form the 'Great Ocean Conveyor Belt'.
  • Deep-ocean circulation is driven by thermohaline effects (temperature and salinity differences), with sea ice formation at the poles generating denser, saltier water that sinks to the depths. This sinking water draws up warmer water creating a global current system.

Stommel's Quote

  • "Science is a voyage... and an expression of the human spirit." (1989)

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