Temperature

By /
« Back to Glossary Index

[tem-pur-chur]
The measure of how hot or cold something is. In physics, it’s defined as the measure of the kinetic energy of particles. It can be measured in Fahrenheit, Celsius, or Kelvins.

Related Articles:
  • Glossary: Deep Ocean Current
    Currents that occur in the ocean at depths greater than 300 feet (100 meters). They are driven by density, temperature, and salinity gradients.
  • Glossary: Deep Water Layer
    The layer of water below the thermocline that slowly decreases in temperature as depth increases.
  • Glossary: Global Ocean Conveyor Belt
    Large-scale ocean circulation that is driven by salinity and temperature. It is formally referred to as thermohaline circulation.
  • Glossary: Mass bleaching
    Large-scale bleaching events that are typically triggered by a rise in average sea temperature for prolonged periods of time. See bleaching.
  • Glossary: Surface Layer
    The layer of water located above the thermocline. It is referred to as the mixed layer because this is where winds and waves stir up the water. This layer is also highly influenced by solar energy (from the sun) heating up the water. The temperature is roughly that of the air above it.
« Back to Glossary Index
Scroll to Top