Difference in sea level Caribbean and Pacific ocean?

[Larry]

A friend said there is a 15' difference in sea level between the Caribbean and Pacific oceans when going through the Panama canal. It seems to me the levels would equalize at Cape Horn and the oceans levels would be the same. Who right?

 

Thanks, Larry

--
"Still running against the wind"
   

[Steve]

The difference is only a few inches, if I remember correctly.

Not sure why but I'm sure someone else, smarter than me, has figure the
reason.

FWIW.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

[Bill Round]

There is a six foot difference in sea level caused, probably, by the
rotation of the earth.

Regards
Capt. Bill Round
Schooner CAPER DREAMS
Lying New Bern, NC

"Larry" <res0...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:22Dm7.920$sR3.1...@dfiatx1-snr1.gtei.net...

[na...@mindspring.com]

Since both sides of the earth rotate at the same speed, why would one side
have a higher or lower sea level?

"Don't worry about people stealing your ideas. If your ideas are any good, you'll have to ram them down people's throats."
Howard Aiken

[Dennis Gibbons]

Sea level is sea level. the locks are to raise the boats over the
mountains.

There was and is again talk of creating a sea level canal through Nicaragua
. No locks and no one is worried about "draining" the Caribbean.

--
Dennis Gibbons
S/V Dark Lady
CN35-207
dennis-...@worldnet.att.net

"Larry" <res0...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:22Dm7.920$sR3.1...@dfiatx1-snr1.gtei.net...

[Bill Round]

I am sorry, you are mistaken. The information about the difference in sea
levels is available in print, don't deny yourself the pleasure of
discovering new facts. I think I ran into the info on my first transit of
the canal.

Regards
Bill Round

"Dennis Gibbons" <dennis-...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:YhJm7.12876$Uf1.1...@bgtnsc06-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...

[Dennis Gibbons]

I am always glad to learn. Please direct me to your source of data.

--
Dennis Gibbons
S/V Dark Lady
CN35-207
dennis-...@worldnet.att.net

"Bill Round" <ro...@ncfreedom.net> wrote in message
news:tpmvuad...@corp.supernews.com...

[Glenn Ashmore]

Sea level is not the same everywhere. Several things effect sea level.
Variations in the Earth's gravity produce large areas of high and low sea
level. There is a point in the Indian Ocean that is more than 100' below the
standard geoid. Prevailing winds and currents can produce more localized
variations. I would suspect that the difference between the Caribbean and
Pacific sides of the canal might be due to the prevailing trades and the
equitorial currents would tend to pile up water on the Caribbean side and draw
it away on the Pacific side.

Dennis Gibbons wrote:

--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack there
of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com

[Terry K]

"Sea level" is an arbitrary line drawn on a data chart. It is the
average of observed levels, adjusted for seasonal and tidal
variations, except in a computer model of the earth, where it would
be a calculated line generated by an adjustable algorithm tuned to
provide a level that satisfies the requirements of the modeller,
unless based on actual GIS observations. I have seen no definitive
data.

The tides on different sides of Panama would not be in step. The
water levels would change with the moon and winds, not to mention
tsunamic effects, or the wakes of inconsiderate, even criminal,
passing yachts.

Currents would attempt to equalise the level of water, but the
distance is so great that the water cannot move fast enough. This,
and tidal fluctuations cause difficult to analyze eddies in the
generalised current flows caused by temperature induced expansion
and contraction of water in different locales, rainfall, tidal and
wind induced motions, coriolis forces, and others.

Were you going to suggest a hydro dam on the Panama canal?

The Bay of Fundy has rather more available hieght variations.

The Tidal Flush swimming pool at Kitsilano was, I believe, used as a
testbed for a tidal generator. Does anyone know of this?

Terry K

[Maui]

See also - Question 3 -

http://www.pol.ac.uk/psmsl/puscience/

[Maui]

On Sun, 9 Sep 2001 00:00:53 -0700, "Steve" <est...@hctc.com> wrote:
Try this - basic background

http://www.arm.gov/docs/education/background/seavari.html

[Dennis Gibbons]

Thank you for the link. It is very on point. 20cm difference. hmmmm

--
Dennis Gibbons
S/V Dark Lady
CN35-207
dennis-...@worldnet.att.net

"Maui" <Ma...@FAKE.ADDRESS.COM> wrote in message
news:3b9ca7e6...@news.mminternet.com...

[edgar cove]

In article <tpm7p5...@corp.supernews.com>, Bill Round

<ro...@ncfreedom.net> writes

>There is a six foot difference in sea level caused, probably, by the
>rotation of the earth.

I have always understood that the sea level in the Caribbean is raised
because of the effect of the Trade winds blowing all the time into the
Gulf of Mexico, and further, that this elevated level is the motive
power for the escaping waters which form the Gulf Stream.
--
edgar (remove nospam from return address for e-mail reply)

[Astraea41]

One thing for sure! There is 18 feet of tidal range (mas o menos) in the Balboa
/Pacific side of the Canal. There is 2 or so feet on the Colon / Caribbean
side.

Now if the coming Global Superstorm hits
at the right time.......

[Bill Round]

The trade winds are a direct result of the rotation of the earth.

Regards
Bill

"edgar cove" <ed...@nospam.coves.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:ZpSCSVAl...@coves.demon.co.uk...

[Maui]

I'm sure you must have meant to say that the winds are a result of the
higher incidence of solar heat at the equator and the "trade" aspect -
the diagional slant of the winds - is because of the coriolus effect
caused by the rotation - right?

On Mon, 10 Sep 2001 03:33:25 -0400, "Bill Round" <ro...@ncfreedom.net>
wrote: