MEA 200 Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Sea Ice, Water Mass, Pressure-Gradient Force
30 Mar 2017
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Sea water naturally tends to move from region of high pressure (or high sea level) to a region of low pressure (or low sea level) The force pushing the water towards the low pressure region is called the pressure gradient force. In a geostrophic flow, instead of water moving from a region of high pressure (high sea level) to a region of low pressure (low sea level), it moves along the lines of equal pressure (isobars) This occurs because the earth is rotating. The rotation of the earth results in a force being felt by the water moving from the high to low, known as the coriolis force. Surface water flows downhill and is deflected. Net movement - 90 degrees to the right in n. hemisphere. Net movement - 90 degrees to the left in s. hemisphere. Ekman transport moves surface seawater toward shore. Water piles up, moves downward in water column.
