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Ocean Model (2D)

A 2D ocean cross-section: deep-water gravity wave dispersion, a wind-driven current that decays exponentially with depth, a thermocline layer, and an upwelling toggle that lifts nutrient-carrying particles to the sunlit zone.

Fluid Dynamics & Aerodynamics2DModerate60 FPS📱 Mobile-adapted⇄ 3D version

This 2D companion trades the 3D scene's decorative rotate-and-orbit view for a readable side-on ocean profile driven by real formulas: surface waves follow the deep-water gravity-wave dispersion relation (ω² = gk, so phase speed c = √(g/k)), a wind-driven surface current decays exponentially with depth the way an Ekman-style layer does, and water temperature falls from the surface value toward a cold abyss along a thermocline curve. Flip on Upwelling to watch deep, nutrient-carrying particles rise into the sunlit zone — the mechanism behind the world's most productive fishing grounds — while the live readout panel reports phase speed, wave period, wave power and a plankton index computed from the particle field in real time.

⚙ Under the hood

Deep-water gravity wave dispersion (ω²=gk), Ekman-style current decay with depth, a thermocline temperature profile and an upwelling-driven plankton particle field, all on a 2D side-profile canvas.

ocean waveswave dispersionekman currentthermoclineupwellingplankton

2D · HTML5 Canvas 2D · 60 FPS target · runs fully client-side, no install

FAQ

Why do longer wavelength waves travel faster?

In deep water, phase speed follows c = √(g/k), where k = 2π/λ. A larger wavelength means a smaller wavenumber k, and since speed scales with 1/√k, longer waves move faster — the same reason ocean swell from a distant storm outruns local wind chop.

Why does the current arrow shrink with depth?

Wind-driven surface currents transfer momentum downward through friction, and that momentum is lost exponentially with depth — the classic Ekman-layer behaviour. This sim scales that decay directly from the current-speed slider, so a stronger surface current also reaches deeper.

What does the Upwelling toggle actually change?

It reverses the vertical drift of the particle field, pulling deep, nutrient-tagged particles up toward the sunlit surface layer instead of letting them settle. The plankton index in the readout panel counts nutrient particles that reach the top 80 m, mirroring how real upwelling zones become nutrient-rich fisheries.