If water seeks its level, how is it possible that the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea are not both at the same level, as is seen by anyone who has passed through the Suez Canal?

lothruin

Water does seek a level. Liquid is always level to the ground, regardless of the container, whether that be a glass or a lake. Here's what is important to remember. Just because it is a sea doesn't mean it neccessarily at sea level. I don't know particularly about the Red Sea, but it IS an inland sea, and therefore it is level within it's basin, but not neccessarily at sea level. Sea level is really more appropriately called "ocean" level, as it describes the level of the world oceans' water. Inland seas behave more like lakes, and are at the level above or below sea level of the land on which they are situated. Dec 03 03, 10:26 AM

TheAlphaWolf

let me get this straight... by "water seeks it's level" you mean that the surface of the water will always be parallel to the center of the earth? (I don't say to the ground because you may be in a hill) so, why are the atlantic and pacific at different level? Dec 03 03, 3:20 PM

lothruin

Ok, yes, water is level to the center of the earth, not really to the ground. The Atlantic and Pacific have different levels between them, and also, depending on where along the coastlines of either oceans, different levels within themselves. These levels are always changing. This is due to the movement of the earth, the tides, the amount of water involved, precipitation, etc. Keep in mind, the Earth is moving. And so are the tectonic plates, which will effect the oceans. Of course the levels will fluctuate, just like if you put water in a tub and pulled the tub along the ground. At any given time, one side might be a higher level than the other. If you set the tub still, it would, for all intents and purposes, level itself. But the movement of the oceans never stops. Dec 03 03, 4:22 PM