Wind-driven gyres and vorticity constraints
Spatially varying wind stress can cause Ekman convergence/divergence and force interior ocean circulation.
Key knowledge
Spatially varying wind stress can cause Ekman convergence/divergence and force interior ocean circulation. Variation of planetary vorticity with latitude and boundary friction help organize basin gyres and intensified boundary currents. The rotating wedge-tank model illustrates one mechanism rather than reproducing the entire ocean.
Conditions and scope
- Real basin geometry, stratification, transient forcing and eddies affect the circulation.
- A Northern Hemisphere subtropical example does not imply every gyre rotates in the same direction.
Sources · 2
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology2 sources
Evidence and review
Read wind/Ekman/pumping wedge analogy and Veronis' Sverdrup/Stommel planetary-vorticity/boundary-current discussion; not all dynamics chapter revalidated.
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Entry details
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- uni-earth-wind-driven-gyres
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- University core expansion