GEOSC 040 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Ocean Heat Content, Photic Zone, Ekman Spiral
Document Summary
Shorter wavelengths of visible light (blue) penetrate deeper than longer wavelengths (red) Ekman spiral- water goes to the right because of coriolis. In order for things to grow in the photic zone. Latent heat is a key factor in hurricane development. The upper ocean heat content is the hurricane energy source. Release of latent heat at high elevation within the eye causes air to warm up and rise which strengthens the hurricane. Hurricanes cool surface waters by their passage: withdrawing energy and mixing deeper, colder water upward. The hurricane energy source begins to shut down when sea surface temperature drops below 26 degrees c which induces a hurricane weakening. Hurricane katrina: category 5 hurricane in the mid-gulf of mexico, category 4/3 storm when it hit land, katrina"s strength changes are probably related to water temperature. Hurricane frequency and intensity thought to be related to sea surface temperature.
