enow.com Web Search

Search results

  1. Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
  2. Coriolis force - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coriolis_force

    The Coriolis effect strongly affects the large-scale oceanic and atmospheric circulation, leading to the formation of robust features like jet streams and western boundary currents. Such features are in geostrophic balance, meaning that the Coriolis and pressure gradient forces balance each other.

  3. Ekman transport - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekman_transport

    Due to the Coriolis effect, surface water moves at a 90° angle to the wind current. If the wind moves in a direction causing the water to be pulled away from the coast then Ekman suction will occur. [1] On the other hand, if the wind is moving in such a way that surface waters move towards the shoreline then Ekman pumping will take place. [1]

  4. Ocean current - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_current

    Surface oceanic currents are driven by wind currents, the large scale prevailing winds drive major persistent ocean currents, and seasonal or occasional winds drive currents of similar persistence to the winds that drive them, [6] and the Coriolis effect plays a major role in their development. [7]

  5. Geostrophic current - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geostrophic_current

    A geostrophic current is an oceanic current in which the pressure gradient force is balanced by the Coriolis effect. The direction of geostrophic flow is parallel to the isobars , with the high pressure to the right of the flow in the Northern Hemisphere , and the high pressure to the left in the Southern Hemisphere .

  6. Ocean gyre - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ocean_gyre

    In oceanography, a gyre (/ ˈ dʒ aɪ ər /) is any large system of ocean surface currents moving in a circular fashion driven by wind movements. Gyres are caused by the Coriolis effect; planetary vorticity, horizontal friction and vertical friction determine the circulatory patterns from the wind stress curl ().

  7. Ekman spiral - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekman_spiral

    The Ekman spiral occurs as a consequence of the Coriolis effect. The Ekman spiral is an arrangement of ocean currents: the directions of horizontal current appear to twist as the depth changes. [1] The oceanic wind driven Ekman spiral is the result of a force balance created by a shear stress force, Coriolis force and the water drag. This force ...

  8. Ekman layer - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekman_layer

    The Ekman layer near the surface of the ocean extends only about 10 – 20 meters deep, [6] and instrumentation sensitive enough to observe a velocity profile in such a shallow depth has only been available since around 1980. [2] Also, wind waves modify the flow near the surface, and make observations close to the surface rather difficult. [7]

  9. Wind generated current - Wikipedia

    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wind_generated_current

    A Wind generated current is a flow in a body of water that is generated by wind friction on its surface. Wind can generate surface currents on water bodies of any size. The depth and strength of the current depend on the wind strength and duration, and on friction and viscosity losses, [1] but are limited to about 400 m depth by the mechanism, and to lesser depths where the water is shallower. [2]