Surface Ocean Currents & the Coriolis Effect

Surface Ocean Currents:

• Surface ocean currents are continuous, horizontal movements of seawater in the upper layer of the ocean.
• They are primarily driven by wind, which imparts energy to the water's surface.
• Ocean currents can flow for thousands of kilometres and play a significant role in shaping our planet's climate and weather patterns.

The Coriolis Effect:

• The Coriolis Effect is the apparent deflection of the path of moving objects (including ocean currents) caused by the rotation of the Earth.
• In the Northern Hemisphere, moving objects, including water in ocean currents, are deflected to the right.
• In the Southern Hemisphere, they are deflected to the left.
• The Coriolis Effect is a result of the Earth's rotation and varies with latitude.

How the Coriolis Effect Influences Ocean Currents

• The Coriolis Effect causes ocean currents to follow curved paths rather than straight lines.
• In the Northern Hemisphere, ocean currents are deflected clockwise.
• In the Southern Hemisphere, ocean currents are deflected counterclockwise.
• This deflection affects the direction of ocean currents, causing them to flow in specific patterns.

Examples of Ocean Currents Affected by the Coriolis Effect:

• The Gulf Stream in the North Atlantic is deflected eastward towards Europe.
• The California Current off the west coast of North America is deflected southward.
• The Brazil Current in the South Atlantic is deflected eastward towards Africa.

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Surface Ocean Currents & the Coriolis Effect

Understanding Surface Ocean Currents & the Coriolis Effect:

• Knowledge of these phenomena is crucial for navigation, as sailors and mariners need to account for the deflection of currents when planning routes.
• Understanding the Coriolis Effect helps scientists predict and study climate patterns, ocean circulation, and marine ecosystems.