wind-driven circulation
Quick Summary
Wind-driven circulation is a primary type of ocean circulation, powered by the energy transferred from wind stress on the sea surface. This process creates large, circular current systems known as gyres that are most vigorous in the ocean's surface layer.1
The wind's force on the water creates an effect called Ekman transport, where the average water particle movement is about 90 degrees to the wind direction—to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This transport leads to areas of water convergence and divergence, resulting in downwelling and upwelling of water masses. These movements are crucial for distributing heat and nutrients throughout the ocean.23
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ocean currentTwo types of ocean circulation…define two circulation types: (1) wind-driven circulation forced by wind stress on the sea surface, inducing a momentum exchange, and (2) thermohaline circulation driven by the variations in water density imposed at the sea surface by exchange of ocean heat and water with the atmosphere, inducing a buoyancy exchange. These…
Read More…define two circulation types: (1) wind-driven circulation forced by wind stress on the sea surface, inducing a momentum exchange, and (2) thermohaline circulation driven by the variations in water density imposed at the sea surface by exchange of ocean heat and water with the atmosphere, inducing a buoyancy exchange. These…
Read More- ocean currentWind-driven circulation
Wind stress induces a circulation pattern that is similar for each ocean. In each case, the wind-driven circulation is divided into gyres that stretch across the entire ocean: subtropical gyres extend from the equatorial current system to the maximum westerlies in a wind…
Read MoreWind stress induces a circulation pattern that is similar for each ocean. In each case, the wind-driven circulation is divided into gyres that stretch across the entire ocean: subtropical gyres extend from the equatorial current system to the maximum westerlies in a wind…
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