2007-05-03 07:39:50 · 9 answers · asked by pasaran472 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
The Panama Canal connects the Pacific and the Atlantic Oceans through that tiny piece of land called the Isthmus of Panama, joining North America and South America.
Now the Pacific Ocean has a different sea level than the Atlantic Ocean (I'm not sure which one is higher)
This is the reason why the water levels on either side of the canal are not the same
To solve this problem, the a series of Panama Locks had been installed in the canal, a great and remarkable engineering feat. These locks alternatively open and close to match with the sea levels on either side and transport ships from one side of the canal to the other.
Hope this answers your question
2007-05-03 09:22:37 · answer #1 · answered by krishvanth 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always thought that the answer to your question is because the canal runs mostly North-South. And due to the rotation of the Earth and tidal forces the Sea Level from many miles away for North - South is not the same.
There has been discussion of making a new canal that runs more East-West then there would be less of an elevation change and fewer locks needed.
2007-05-03 10:06:12 · answer #2 · answered by rscanner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you mean on either END of the canal or on either side of a canal lock?
External forces act on all water to produce different levels. Tide, wind, weather , all will create different effects. The Pacific side is, for example, generally more 'active' with winds typically driving the water toward shore.
As far as the locks go.. the waterlevels always very.. that is the nature of the canal..
.
2007-05-03 09:27:33 · answer #3 · answered by ca_surveyor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fabolous... has given you some good points to consider but one other major factor is the rotation of the earth. This pushes the oceans to the West raising the sea levels where they come into contact with land masses like the Americas or Africa. Water in smaller volumes does seek its own level but the mass of water in the oceans is affected in other ways.
2016-04-01 07:00:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
See other questions in the forum about that very same subject. There are tidal difference between the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans.
2007-05-03 07:44:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because of the rotation of the Earth, which causes the water to "pile up" on one side, and "drain Away" from the other.
2007-05-03 07:43:47 · answer #6 · answered by JIMBO 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Its a lock canal.
2007-05-03 07:43:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
JIMBO has the best answer.
2007-05-03 08:51:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
tides and wind.
2007-05-03 07:52:50 · answer #9 · answered by wwgiese 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋