Coriolis Effect Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Coriolis Effect - Essay Example The first influence of the Coriolis effect is related to the ocean. It can influence the ocean through the interaction with other factors such as temperature and the physical characteristics of the ocean basin. Another important influence is related to the surface currents with broad circulatory patterns referred to as gyres. Basically, the Coriolis effect causes the clockwise movement of the gyres in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise movement in the Southern Hemisphere. Surface currents though do not cross the equator but waters in the equatorial region are affected by the tropical easterlies or trade winds thus producing the Equatorial Current. The Coriolis effect then causes the movement of warm water to the pole while the cool water currents flow to the equatorial region (Gabler and others 2008, p.133). The influence of Coriolis effect is also visible in the atmospheric phenomena such as the wind currents and other air currents and movements such as cyclones. Coriolis effect in relation to the wind currents can be related to different factors such as the force, the friction and pressure gradient. One example is the geostrophic wind which goes parallel to isobars and is affected by the friction and pressure gradient and turns 90 degrees due to Coriolis effect.