NAUTICAL MILE - The length of a minute of arc, l/21,600 of an average 

 great circle of the earth. Generally one minute of latitude is 

 considered equal to one nautical mile. The accepted United States 

 value is 6,080o20 feet., approximately l.l5 times as long as the 

 statute mile of 5,280 feet. Also GEOGRAPHICAL MILE, 



NEAP TIDE - A tide occurring near the time of quadrature of the moon. 



The neap tidal range is usually 10 to 30 percent less than the mean 

 tidal range, 



NEARSHORE (ZONE) - In beach terminology an indefinite zone extending sea- 

 ward from the shore line somewhat beyond the breaker zone. It 

 defines the area of NEARSHORE CURRENTS, The SHOREFACE, (See Figure l) 



NEARSHORE CIRCULATION - The ocean circulation pattern composed of the 

 NEARSHORE CURRENTS and COASTAL CURRENTS. See under CURRENT. 



NEARSHORE CURRENT SYSTEM - The current system caused primarily by wave 

 action in and near the breaker zone, and which consists of four 

 parts: the shoreward mass transport of water j long-shore currents; 

 seaward return flow, including rip currents; and the longshore 

 movement of the expanding heads of rip currents. 



NECK - The narrow band of water flowing seaward through the surf. Also 

 RIP. 



NIP - The cut made by waves in a shore line of emergence, 



NODAL ZONE - An area at which the predominant direction of the littoral 

 drift changes, 



NOURISHlffiNT - The process of replenishing a beach. It may be brought 

 about by natural means, e.g- littoral drift, or by artificial 

 means, e,g, by the deposition of dredged materials, 



OCEANOGRAPHY - That science treating of the oceans, their forms, 

 physical features, and phenomena, 



OFFSHORE (n. or adj,) - (l) In beach terminology, the comparatively flat 

 zone of variable width, extending from the breaker zone to the 

 seaward edge of the continental shelf. (2) A direction seaward 

 from the shore (See Figure l). 



OFFSHORE CURRENT - (l) Any current in the offshore zone, (2) Any current 

 flowing away from shore, 



OFFSHORE WIND - A wind blowing seaward from the land in the coastal 

 area, 



ONSHORE " A direction landward from the sea, 



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