For example how long does it take the water in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean to reach the Eastern coast of the USA?
CLAIR
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It DOESN’T… have you never heard of the GULF STREAM? It’s the RIVER in the MIDDLE of the Atlantic Ocean that travels in a huge circle and NEVER REACHES LAND.
Water in the middle of the ocean may never reach the shore: It may be entrained in currents and move around within the ocean, or it may be evaporated. In waves, the water molecules move up and down in circles which are smaller the deeper you go - it is the wave that travels. If you think of floating in the water you move up and down, not in to the shore. The ‘breaking’ of waves on the shore happens when the wave base, which is not very deep, is slowed as it reaches the shoreline, and the upper parts of the water column outpace it, causing the break. The Wiki site gives a good description
