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This is the third and final part in a training series on rip currents. The topic of forecasting daily rip current risk can be explored by operational forecasters, many of whom do not have a physical oceanography background. The hazards of rip currents and a review of the factors that contribute to rip current development are discussed. To demonstrate the process of a rip current forecast and as an example of what can locally be developed at the user’s station, the module presents a rip current worksheet that is used operationally at some forecast offices. Various parts of this worksheet require the use of observed data and model output. These resources range from NOS Detailed Wave Summary reports to NOAA WAVEWATCH III model polar plots of wave spectral energy. The usage of these products in terms of rip current forecasting using the worksheet is explained in detail. In particular, the issue of “wave masking” in the 2-D model plots is illustrated. In order to practice with the products presented, the user is provided two cases (East and West Coasts). Other factors discussed include tide and lake levels as well as situational awareness. Lastly, a summary of important points from the module and experienced forecast offices is provided. Users are encouraged to examine the state of their office’s rip current program and develop a plan for improvement based on concepts and ideas presented in this module.

This module provides insight into how nearshore circulation and wave dynamics are involved in rip current formation. Topics covered in this module include: nearshore terminology, circulation and waves, rip current characteristics, and rip current forcing mechanisms. This module is the second of three modules covering the forecasting of rip currents.

This module discusses the basics of rip current formation and detection as well as the partnerships between the National Weather Service, National Sea Grant College Program, and the United States Lifesaving Association as they relate to rip current safety. This is one of three modules on forecasting rip currents.

What is St. Elmo's Fire? How does a steam turbine generate electricity? Which scientist developed the first battery? Electrical Circuits and Currents takes a look at how electricity works, and the forms that it takes. You will learn about electrical charges, series and parallel circuits, and materials that conduct electricity. You will even discover how to create your own schematic diagrams of electrical circuits! Wire it up and enter the always fascinating world of electrical circuits and currents! Sci-Hi is a visually stimulating series that takes learning science core curriculum to a whole new level! Each title in the series explores an area of life, physical, or earth science in a way that is both engaging and comprehensive. Topics include everything from chemical reactions to cell function and specialization. Features of the series include high-interest spreads, fantastic photos and artwork, science activities and projects, quizzes, reviews, timelines, and two or more pages of glossary words and further information. Book jacket.

This module discusses the origin of ocean currents in both the open ocean and in coastal areas. The module focuses on the driving mechanisms for currents, along with influences that modify existing currents. Driving mechanisms include wind, horizontal density differences, and tides, while modifying effects include friction, bathymetry, and the Ekman spiral. The module concludes with a demonstration of data products and a brief overview of forecast considerations.

This site explains the many Internet tools that are currently available for accessing earthquake data. Students discover that by using these tools one can obtain information (such as location, origin time and magnitude) about the most recent earthquakes; search historical earthquake catalogs for earthquakes in a given region over a selected time period; and view, download or make maps of recent or historical earthquake activity of the world or of a selected region. They also learn that the tools support education and research activities related to earthquakes such as: maintaining a classroom map of significant earthquakes; calculating earthquake magnitude from educational seismograph records and comparing with official magnitude estimates; obtaining historical earthquake data for a specific area to relate a recent event to the background seismicity; and analyzing sequences of earthquake activity. There is a link to information about obtaining and using seismograms.

This video segment uses data-based visual NOAA representations to trace the path of surface ocean currents around the globe and explore their role in creating climate zones. Ocean surface currents have a major impact on regional climate around the world, bringing coastal fog to San Francisco and comfortable temperatures to the British Isles.

With the ever-growing interest in information technology and digital initiatives and projects, the Current Cites website will be of great interest to persons working in these various fields. Edited by Roy Tennant (a librarian working at the California Digital Library in Oakland), Current Cites is a monthly publication that contains 10-15 annotated citations of the best literature currently available in the field of information technology. Of course, visitors to the site may elect to sign up to receive Current Cites every month, or they may peruse the contents of the publication back to its founding in August 1990. Equally helpful is the Bibliography On-Demand feature that allows users to construct their own bibliography culled from the Current Cites database of bibliographic citations. Additionally, the items that are freely available on the Internet are also retrieved and indexed so that users may perform an article search of the full-text of these various items.

Electric current is the rate at which electrons flow through a cross section of a wire This Demonstration illustrates the motion of this directed flow which is random zigzag at a microscopic level causing the electrical resistance The unit for electric current is the ampere equal to 1 coulomb per second

Current Issues is a one semester Social Studies elective that takes a close look at the media surrounding us We analyze the unique place in history occupied by the United States that allowed media to develop and flourish From there we investigate the origins of Newspaper Television Internet and Advertising After looking at the past history of various mediums of mass communication students then take a look at current efforts and future endeavors of each communication tool Finally students end the course in a disruptive innovation on the research paperwith collaborative research done in a Wiki Space Students stay connected with current events as they are happening and learn perspective about the media that we interact with on a day to day basis Current Issues course materials created by the Open High School of Utah are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 30 Unported License This course contains open educational resources produced by other organizations which may use a different open license Please confirm the license status of these thirdparty resources before reusing them See OpenCourseWare for additional information about licensing