Tides and Currents: Ocean Motion

The ocean moves all the time.

Water moves in tides.
Water moves in currents.
Wind makes waves too.

Ships and the Ocean

Ships carry things we buy.
Most things from far away come by ship.

Sailors need to know the ocean.
They need to know the wind.
They need to know the waves.
This keeps ships safe.

A group called NOAA helps.
NOAA watches the ocean.
NOAA tells sailors about the water.
NOAA tells sailors about tides.
NOAA tells sailors about currents.

What Makes Waves?

Wind makes waves.
Big wind makes big waves.

Wind that blows a long time makes bigger waves.
Wind that blows over more sea makes bigger waves too.

What Are Currents?

Currents are like rivers in the sea.
Currents move water from place to place.

There is a special push called the Coriolis force.
Earth spinning makes this push.
It helps move the currents in the big ocean.

This push is too small to feel on a soccer ball.
But it is big enough to move the whole ocean.

Why It Matters

People study the ocean to stay safe.
They learn about tides.
They learn about currents.
They learn about waves.

This helps ships travel safely across the sea.