How are ocean currents affected by the Coriolis effect?

Coastal currents are affected by local winds. Surface ocean currents, which occur on the open ocean, are driven by a complex global wind system. To understand the effects of winds on ocean currents, one first needs to understand the Coriolis force and the Ekman spiral. Coriolis Effect. read more

Coastal currents are affected by local winds. Surface ocean currents, which occur on the open ocean, are driven by a complex global wind system. To understand the effects of winds on ocean currents, one first needs to understand the Coriolis force and the Ekman spiral. read more

The wind is largely what forces the ocean currents, through friction at the interface (plus differences in heat and salt, called thermohaline forcing). So, the wind “pushes” the water. Except it isn’t that easy (of course). read more

Coastal currents are affected by local winds. Surface ocean currents, which occur on the open ocean, are driven by a complex global wind system. read more