onderwatergolven

Onderwatergolven, also known as internal waves, are a phenomenon occurring within the ocean's interior where distinct layers of water with different densities interact. These density differences are primarily caused by variations in temperature and salinity. When these layers are disturbed, they can oscillate like waves, but they do so beneath the surface, not as visible crests and troughs on the ocean's skin.

These internal waves are generated by various forces, including tides moving over underwater topography, wind-driven surface waves that propagate downwards, or atmospheric pressure changes. They can travel horizontally for hundreds of kilometers and can have amplitudes ranging from a few meters to over a hundred meters. Their movement can be surprisingly powerful and can significantly affect the mixing of ocean waters.

The presence of onderwatergolven plays a crucial role in the ocean's ecosystem. They are instrumental in transporting nutrients, oxygen, and heat throughout the water column, supporting marine life at different depths. They can also influence the dispersal of plankton and larval organisms. Detecting and studying these waves is challenging due to their hidden nature, often requiring specialized instruments like acoustic sensors and conductivity-temperature-depth (CTD) profilers. Understanding their behavior is vital for oceanographic research, climate modeling, and predicting marine resource distribution.