Year: 2007
Type: article
Abstract: The oceans function as vast reservoirs of heat, the top three metres of the ocean alone stores all the \nequivalent heat energy contained within the atmosphere29. This is due to the high specific heat of \nwater, which is a measure of the ability of matter to absorb heat. The ocean therefore has by far the \nlargest heat capacity and hence energy retention capability of any other climate system component. \nSurface ocean currents (significantly forced by large scale winds) play a major role in redistributing the \nearth’s heat energy around the globe by transporting it from the tropical regions poleward principally \nvia western boundary currents such as the East Australian Current (EAC). These currents therefore \nhave a major affect on maritime and continental weather and climate.
Author: Craig Steinberg
Language: English
Subfield: Oceanography
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W155753463