Submitted 5 hours ago by akunohana@piefed.blahaj.zone to [deleted]
I am rewatching The Little Mermaid and during the scene where prince Eric’s ship is hit by a storm, you can see some shorter shots of the sea beneath its surface and it looks pretty calm, while the surface is absolutely ravaged by the storm.
Is this an oversimplification or is this actually the case?
It’s stupidly difficult to find an answer thanks to the enshittification of the internet. I did find this:
There are consistent currents beneath the surface. They’re definitely impacted by wind forces on the surface, but the currents would be the dominant force for sure. I’d imagine it would be comparatively peaceful once you get more than 100m down.
I’m thinking oceans can absorb a lot of energy from the surface before causing much movement. The comparative density and depth must be huge factors in that.
It’s moreso when you get giant landslides, earthquakes or explosions when you get significant movement AFAIK.
It depends on how far below the surface and the storm. Energy naturally dissipates over distance.
I’d imagine it’s somewhat oversimplified. Consider rip currents. They look calm on the surface but can be deadly and carry you a mile out to sea. It might not seem like it if you don’t have a point of reference to track and cresting waves to get above.
Steve@communick.news 3 hours ago
The depth of a wave is half its wavelength. With waves 8 meters apart meters down the water is calm.
Veritasium short
yakko@feddit.uk 3 hours ago
Learning about how this formula causes waves to crest was such a lightbulb moment for me.