Overhead view of rippling sand from a low tide, filled with small amounts of water.

Tides & Currents

Preview

Waves breaking on the shore

Currents, Waves, and Tides

Ever wonder about how waves form, or why tides rise and fall? This overview dives into everything to know.

Read More

Featured Content

A yello rip current warning flag.

Rip Current Science

the loop current in the Gulf of Mexico

Science in a Time of Crisis: Tracking the Currents

One-meter-tall plastic drifters are released into the Gulf of Mexico in 2012. Over 300 of these drifters were released and their location information was sent to researchers every five minutes through GPS satellite.

CARTHE Drifters: Where does oil go when it is spilled?

A screenshot from the video showing an animation of ocean currents.

Ocean Currents: Motion in the Ocean

The currents of the North Pacific gyre collect trash—mostly bits of microscopic plastic—into what are known as "garbage patches."

Ocean Trash Plaguing Our Sea

Are You An Educator?

At Smithsonian Ocean, we have lesson plans, activities, and resources to help you engage your students in the wonders of our oceans.

see all lesson plans see lesson plans about currents

Tides & Currents Articles

Illustration of Robotic Glider Evading Fishing Nets

Robotic Ocean Explorer

the oil on the surface

The Gulf Oil Spill: Effects on Marine Life

a large ship under a bridge

Ship Under a Bridge

the loop current in the Gulf of Mexico

Science in a Time of Crisis: Tracking the Currents

the gulf stream depicted by temperature

Line W: A 10-Year Portrait of Our Planet

A screenshot from the video "Women in Oceanography" showing a woman standing on a research vessel.

Women in Oceanography

A screenshot from video of a school of fish swimming.

Bob the Drifter

A screenshot from the video showing an animation of ocean currents.

Ocean Currents: Motion in the Ocean

A yello rip current warning flag.

Rip Current Science

Banner Credit

Pixabay