Dynamic Oceanography, Atmospheric Circulation and Currents

Table of Contents Title slide Density of air is controlled by temperature, pressure and moisture content. Atmospheric processes Composition and Properties of the Atmosphere Simple circulation without a rotating Earth Atmospheric Circulation Uneven Solar Heating and Latitude Rotation of the Earth strongly influences winds. Coriolis Deflection Three major convection cells are present in each hemisphere. The Coriolis Effect A plan view of atmospheric circulation Wind Patterns Monsoons, Sea Breezes and Land Breezes

Sea Breezes And Land Breezes Storms Surface Currents Wind-driven currents are produced by the interaction between the wind and the water. Surface Currents Flow Within a Gyre Global surface water circulation The Ekman spiral. An Ekman spiral in the northern hemisphere Flow Within a Gyre The sea surface is warped into broad mounds and depressions Dynamic topography of the sea surface Flow Within a Gyre Flow rates in the North Atlantic Ocean