What is the Ekman spiral?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for an explanation of the Ekman spiral, which is a concept in oceanography related to the movement of water layers in response to wind and the Coriolis effect. It describes how water moves at different depths in a spiral pattern due to friction and the rotation of the Earth.
Answer
The Ekman spiral is a rotating column of water layers moving at angles due to wind drag and the Coriolis effect.
The Ekman spiral is a rotating column of water caused by the wind's drag on the surface, with water layers moving progressively at angles due to the Coriolis effect, causing a spiral effect with depth.
Answer for screen readers
The Ekman spiral is a rotating column of water caused by the wind's drag on the surface, with water layers moving progressively at angles due to the Coriolis effect, causing a spiral effect with depth.
More Information
Named after Swedish scientist Vagn Walfrid Ekman, who theorized it in 1902, the Ekman spiral plays an essential role in oceanography and impacts oceanic currents and nutrient distribution.
Sources
- The Ekman Spiral | Smithsonian Ocean - ocean.si.edu
- Ekman spiral - Currents: NOAA's National Ocean Service Education - oceanservice.noaa.gov
- Ekman spiral | Ocean Circulation, Upwelling & Gyres - Britannica - britannica.com
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