Oceans

This book concerns a broad spectrum of subjects about the oceans, their dynamics, physics, the role that they play in the Earth environment and climate. Basic, complete and up-to-date information is provided with a plain language accessible to all readers with a minimal cultural background. Two introductory chapters are devoted to the basic description of the forces responsible for the oceanic motions and to the historical evolution of oceanography, from the ancient age to its most recent developments. Specific subjects included in the book are the formation of the oceans, air-sea interaction, the structure and the dynamics of the global ocean circulation, wind waves, tides, tsunamis, storm surges, and sea level variations. The final chapter reviews the role of the oceans in the Earth climate, with a description of their effect on the carbon cycle and the surface temperature balance, and of their influence on a global climate change.