Outline of oceanography

It is an Earth science, which covers a wide range of topics, including ocean currents, waves, and geophysical fluid dynamics; fluxes of various chemical substances and physical properties within the ocean and across its boundaries; ecosystem dynamics; and plate tectonics and seabed geology.

Oceanographers draw upon a wide range of disciplines to deepen their understanding of the world’s oceans, incorporating insights from astronomy, biology, chemistry, geography, geology, hydrology, meteorology and physics.

Plate tectonics – The scientific theory that describes the large-scale motions of Earth's lithosphere Seamount – A mountain rising from the ocean seafloor that does not reach to the water's surface Subduction zones – A geological process at convergent tectonic plate boundaries where one plate moves under the other Submarine calderas – Volcanic calderas that are partially or fully submerged under the water of a larger ocean or lake, sometimes forming a reef, bay or harbor.

Paleoceanography – The study of the history of the oceans in the geologic past (Outline of physical oceanography – Hierarchical outline list of articles on physical oceanography) Physical oceanography – The study of physical conditions and physical processes within the ocean Acoustical oceanography – The use of underwater sound to study the sea, its boundaries and its contents Circulation terminology and concepts: To be sorted: Ocean gyre – Any large system of recirculating ocean currents Landforms – Natural features of the solid surface of the Earth or other planetary body Ocean – A body of saline water that composes much of a planet's hydrosphere Ocean zones – Not mutually exclusive Sea – A large body of salt water surrounded in whole or in part by land Sea ice – Ice formed from frozen seawater Iceberg – A large piece of freshwater ice broken off a glacier or ice shelf and floating in open water Sea level – Average level for the surface of the ocean at any given geographical position on the planetary surface Tide – The periodic change of sea levels caused by the gravitational and inertial effects of the Moon, the Sun and the rotation of the Earth Storm surge Rise of water surface associated with a low pressure weather system Tidal bore – A hydrodynamic phenomenon in which the leading edge of the incoming tide forms a wave (or waves) of water that travels up a river or narrow bay against the direction of the river or bay's current.

Tidal island – Land which is connected to the mainland by a causeway which is covered by high tide and exposed at low tide Whirlpool – Body of rotating water produced by the meeting of opposing currents Gravity wave – Wave generated in a fluid medium or at the interface between two media when the force of gravity or buoyancy tries to restore equilibrium Marine geology – The study of the history and structure of the ocean floor