ENVIRON 222 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Ekman Spiral, Ekman Transport, Hadley Cell
Document Summary
Atmospheric circulation wrap up, coriolis effect and ekman transport. Objects in a rotating frame such as the earth experience the coriolis effect, sometimes called the coriolis force. Deflection is always to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere. Because of the coriolis force, atmospheric and oceanic flows are deflected to the left in the ________ hemisphere. Energy transferred from winds to ocean by friction, setting surface layer in motion. Internal friction between successive layers transfers energy from surface depth. Wind-driven friction sets surface ocean in motion in series of thin layers. Each successive layer driven by one above it, energy loss leads to progressive decrease in velocity. Each layer of water is subject to the coriolis effect, and is deflected to the right (n hemisphere) or left (s hemisphere) Successive layers offset to one another due to coriolis deflection. Work inspired by nansen who observed that icebergs move at angle to wind.
