In our imagination, the ocean usually appears as a grand - huge waves, giant currents, powerful storms. But, as it turned out, some of the most important processes occur on a scale that was previously invisible. Thanks to new NASA satellite - Surface Water and Ocean Topography - scientists have been able to see tiny ocean waves and whirlwinds that play a key role in climatic and biological processes.
About it reports Earth , referring to new NASA research .
SWOT provides detailed two -dimensional images of the surface of the ocean, which allows scientists to analyze the submemes of scale features - very small oceanic structures a little more than wide . These whirlwinds and currents not yet been able to see any other tool. Earlier, their existence was known only theoretically , but now these data can be measured, modeled and understood how they affect : the movement of heat between the ocean and the atmosphere ; delivery of nutrients to the surface layers where they support life; Energy balance on the planet. One of Virv satellite found is in the course of Kurosio ( near Japan). Scientists have noted that vertical flows of water in its center moved at a speed of up to 12 meters a day - an indicator that could not be measured before .
Another find is a single underwater wave in the Andaman Sea near Myanmar. This wave was formed under the influence of inflows and had twice as much energy as a typical internal inflow. Such waves are also involved in the vertical transfer of nutrients and heat, which is important for understanding life in the ocean and its impact on the climate. SWOT is not just " photographing" the ocean. It measures the height of the surface of the water , which can calculate the level , wave slopes and strength . This helps to build more accurate ocean circulation models , which is important for: weather and climate forecasts ; monitoring of global warming ; Understanding changes in ecosystems of seas and oceans .
Small, invisible eyelets can change our ideas about large climatic processes . And right now, scientists are taking the first steps to a full understanding of how the trace elements of the ocean affect the macrovit of the atmosphere.
