Surface Ocean Circulation

Question 1

Coriolis effect

Answer 1

Because the earth rotates on its axis, circulating air is deflected toward the right in the northern hemisphere and toward the left in the southern hemisphere

Question 2

Ekman spiral:

Answer 2

Wind-driven surface water pushes on water below it, deflected right in nh and deflected left in sh

Question 3

Trade winds:

Answer 3

They meet where temperature is highest and air pressure is lowest, this location is located slightly north of the geographical equator and is called the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)

Question 4

Diverging surface seawater

Answer 4

Surface seawater diverges and moves apart, deeper seawater (cooler, nutrient-rich) replaces surface water, upwelling, high biological productivity

Question 5

Gyres

Answer 5

Move clockwise in nh and counterclockwise in sh, eastern and western boundary currents are not wind-driven but provide continuity of flow, ekman transport causes accumulation of water at the center of the circular flow pattern that results in elevated convergence aka downwelling