Physical oceanography
![World ocean bathymetry.](/Images/godic/202501/26/AYool_topography_15min5245.png")
![Perspective view of the sea floor of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The purple sea floor at the center of the view is the Puerto Rico Trench.](/Images/godic/202501/26/Atlantic-trench5245.JPG")
![WOA surface density.](/Images/godic/202501/26/WOA09_sea-surf_DEN_AYool5246.png")
![Density-driven thermohaline circulation](/Images/godic/202501/26/Thermohaline_Circulation_25246.png")
Physical oceanography is the study of physical conditions and physical processes within the ocean, especially the motions and physical properties of ocean waters.
Physical oceanography is one of several sub-domains into which oceanography is divided. Others include biological, chemical and geological oceanographies.