Oceangraphy 10: Ekman Transport

geostrophic flow

horizontal flow of water occurring when there is a balance between gravitational forces and the Coriolis effect

Ekman transport

The net motion of fluid as the result of a balance between Coriolis and turbulent drag forces

Ekman transport

The water movement 90 degrees from the wind direction

Ekman transport

This is not in the direction of the wind, but is 90°to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and 90° toward the left in the Southern Hemisphere.The amount of water flowing in this layer depends only upon the wind and the Coriolis force and is independent of the depth of the Ekman layer and the viscosity of the water.

geostrophic balance

balance between pressure gradient force and Coriolis force

Ekman transport causes surface waters to move toward the ______region of a subtropical gyre.

center or central

Ekman spiral

surface winds drive surface currents, and each layer of water drags the layer below, but the Coriolis Force changes each layer's direction slightly to make a spiral effect