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Questions and Answers
What significant contribution did Henry Stommel make to the understanding of ocean currents?
What significant contribution did Henry Stommel make to the understanding of ocean currents?
Which publication by Stommel focused on the Gulf Stream specifically?
Which publication by Stommel focused on the Gulf Stream specifically?
What concept did Stommel's paper in 1948 primarily address?
What concept did Stommel's paper in 1948 primarily address?
What notable position did Stommel hold in 1959?
What notable position did Stommel hold in 1959?
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What was one of the key outcomes of Stommel's research on thermohaline effects?
What was one of the key outcomes of Stommel's research on thermohaline effects?
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In which year was Stommel awarded the United States National Medal of Science?
In which year was Stommel awarded the United States National Medal of Science?
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Which research station did Stommel set up for seawater sampling?
Which research station did Stommel set up for seawater sampling?
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What underlying phenomenon contributes to the sinking of seawater at the poles as studied by Stommel?
What underlying phenomenon contributes to the sinking of seawater at the poles as studied by Stommel?
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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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Description
Explore the groundbreaking work of Henry Stommel, a pivotal figure in oceanography. His research on ocean currents, particularly the Gulf Stream, has had lasting impacts in the field. This quiz covers his career milestones and major publications.
