What of the interfaces of the sea? Above three-quarters of the globe,
water and air are in constant contact, continually exchanging heat and
moisture. This is a major factor in the making of weather and climate.
The sea constantly feeds electricity into the atmosphere, primarily
through the electron-scrubbing action of tiny popping bubbles at the sea
surface. It also lifts tiny crystals of salt and the remains of
microscopic sea creatures into the air. Perhaps these are the nuclei on
which moisture condenses to trigger hurricanes, since it is the latent
heat of vaporization of air, made over-moist by long travel over the
tropical sea, that provides a hurricane’s energy.
Along its land edges, the sea is constantly working on the
shore—sometimes gently, sometimes violently—breaking down rock cliffs,
opening bays and harbors, closing channels and inlets, smashing
breakwaters and seawalls, and moving sand up and down and to and from
beaches.