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C index—A measure of geomagnetic activity; use discontinued in 1975 and superseded by other indices of geomagnetic activity. See Kp.
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cabbeling—(Also spelled cabbaling.) Any physical process that is caused by the nonlinear terms in the expression of density as a function of S (salinity) and T (temperature) measured at constant pressure. The original meaning of cabbeling is described by considering the mixing of two fluids of similar density but different T and S. The volume of the mixture will generally be slightly smaller than the total volume of the two original fluids (contraction upon mixing). Therefore, the mixture will have a slightly higher density than the average density of the original fluids. This densification upon mixing is thought to cause the mixed fluid to flow downward, away from the zone of mixing, and so will allow new source fluids to come in contact. In situations where vertical mixing is occurring, the effects of nonlinearity are more subtle, leading to differential entrainment and upward migration of the mixing interface.
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cable—A nautical unit of horizontal distance defined as 0.1 nautical mile = 185.2 m. Historically, a cable was defined as equal to 600 ft (100 fathoms).
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cacimbo—(Also spelled caicimbo.) Local name in Angola for the wet fogs and drizzles noted with onshore winds from the Benguela Current.
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cajú rains—In northeast Brazil, light showers occurring in October. The rainy season in Brazil normally begins in December and lasts until April or May; then follows a dry season until the rains at the end of the year. In October of most years, however, there will be local showers known as chuvas de cajú (cashew rains), so-called because they occur at the time of blossom of the cashew tree.
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cake ice—Flat pieces of sea ice larger than brash. Cake ice is often tightly packed, giving it a mosaic appearance, but its surface is generally smooth in contrast to rough, hummocked pressure ice.
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