Sea Level at the Coast (IMAGE)

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Sea Level at the Coast

Caption

Increased fresh river outflow enters the coastal environment, where it mixes with ambient salty ocean water. Under the influence of the Earth's rotation, this plume of fresher water "turns to the right" (in the northern hemisphere), flowing downstream as an alongshore current "trapped" to the coast. These fresher waters "piled up" along the shore result in an increase in sea level at the coast.

Credit

Illustration by Natalie Renier, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Usage Restrictions

with proper credit

License

Licensed content

Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.