Ekman transport: Difference between revisions
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'''Ekman transport''' is a name given to the natural process by which | '''Ekman transport''' is a name given to the natural process by which wind causes movement of water near the ocean surface. Each layer of water in the ocean drags with it the layer beneath. Thus the movement of each layer of water is affected by the movement of the layer above, or below in the case of a frictional bottom boundary layer. | ||
It is closely related to the [[Ekman spiral]]. In the [[Northern Hemisphere]] the surface ocean movement is 45° to the right of direction of surface wind. In the [[Southern Hemisphere]] the motion of suface ocean movement is 45° to the left of of surface winds. This difference in direction is caused by the [[Coriolis | It is closely related to the [[Ekman spiral]]. In the [[Northern Hemisphere]] the surface ocean movement is 45° to the right of direction of surface wind. In the [[Southern Hemisphere]] the motion of suface ocean movement is 45° to the left of of surface winds. This difference in direction is caused by the [[Coriolis effect]]. The average movement of ocean water at all depths (and thus the Ekman transport) is 90° to the right of the wind in the Northern Hemisphere, and 90° to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. If such a current transports water away from a coast, it creates [[upwelling]] of deep, nutrient rich sea water. This has the effect of creating good fishing regions along coasts where this phenomenon occurs. | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 19:51, 15 February 2007
Ekman transport is a name given to the natural process by which wind causes movement of water near the ocean surface. Each layer of water in the ocean drags with it the layer beneath. Thus the movement of each layer of water is affected by the movement of the layer above, or below in the case of a frictional bottom boundary layer.
It is closely related to the Ekman spiral. In the Northern Hemisphere the surface ocean movement is 45° to the right of direction of surface wind. In the Southern Hemisphere the motion of suface ocean movement is 45° to the left of of surface winds. This difference in direction is caused by the Coriolis effect. The average movement of ocean water at all depths (and thus the Ekman transport) is 90° to the right of the wind in the Northern Hemisphere, and 90° to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. If such a current transports water away from a coast, it creates upwelling of deep, nutrient rich sea water. This has the effect of creating good fishing regions along coasts where this phenomenon occurs.