rotating column of water formed as ocean surface currents are deflected by the Coriolis effect, wind, and friction forces.

As used in meteorology, an idealized mathematical description of the wind distribution in the atmospheric boundary layer, within which the earth's surface has an appreciable effect on the air mot [..]

A logarithmic spiral (when projected on a horizontal plane) formed by current velocity vectors at increasing depth intervals. The current vectors become progressively smaller with depth. They spiral t [..]

An idealised description of the way wind-driven ocean currents vary with depth. In the atmosphere, it represents the way the wind varies from the surface upwards in the planetary boundary layer. Ekman transport is the net water transport due to the Ekman spiral. In the southern hemisphere, net mass transport is 90° to the left of the surface wind d [..]

Ekman Spiral A theoretical model of the effect of a steady wind blowing over an ocean of unlimited depth and breadth and of uniform viscosity. Because of the Coriolis Effect, the surface layer is expected to flow at a 45° angle to the wind in the Northern Hemisphere (to the left in the Southern Hemisphere). Water at increasing depth will drift in d [..]