MEA 200 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Pressure-Gradient Force, Downwelling, Geostrophic Wind
30 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
Driven by differences in density caused by differences in temperature and salinity. Ekman transport and current motion cause the water surface to bulge, and the departure from normal sea level can be measured by satellite radar. The modern drifter is a high-tech version of the message in a bottle . It consists of a surface buoy and a subsurface drogue (sea anchor), attached by a long, thick tether. The buoy measures temperature and other properties, and has a transmitter to send the data to passing satellites. Affect only 10% of ocean water on earth. 2% of wind energy transferred to ocean surface. Surface currents slower speed than corresponding winds. Gravity- will tend to pull the water down the hill or pile of water against the pressure gradient. Friction- is the coupling between the wind and the water"s surface. Coriolis effect- cause the water to be deflected around the hill of water.
