Computer-Oriented Laboratory Exercises for Geology and Oceanography
William T. Fox · Journal of Geological Education · 1969
Computers equipped with plotters are used for large group demonstrations and small group projects in introductory geology and oceanography labs. Using the known period, phase, and amplitude of the major tidal components or partial tides, tides are predicted at three localities. The semi-diurnal tides at Immingham, England, diurnal tides at Do Son, Vietnam, and mixed semi-diurnal and diurnal tides at San Francisco provide examples. For small group projects, wave-tank experiments are compared with computer-generated, wave-refraction diagrams. A contouring program generated a grid of depth values from randomly scattered bottom soundings. The depth values are fed into a second computer program to compute and plot wave-refraction diagrams. Students interact with the computer using the console typewriter while graphs and maps are drawn on the plotter. Wave-refraction diagrams are given for Cape Ann, Massachusetts, with wave period, angle of wave approach, and wave height varied in the three examples.