Ekman Spiral in the Ocean
Steady wind stress on the ocean surface, Coriolis force, and vertical eddy viscosity A_z lead to the Ekman spiral: horizontal currents rotate and decay with depth on a scale δ = √(2A_z/|f|). Hodographs of (u, v) trace a logarithmic spiral; surface deflection relative to wind illustrates Ekman transport direction.
Who it's for: Physical oceanography or atmosphere boundary-layer introductions.
Key terms
- Ekman spiral
- Coriolis parameter
- Eddy viscosity
- Boundary layer
f = 2Ω sin(lat): sign controls spiral handedness; near the equator δ diverges — stay away from |lat| < 5° in this model.
Live graphs
How it works
Wind stress, Coriolis parameter, and vertical eddy viscosity set the Ekman depth and the turning of horizontal currents with depth — the classic spiral behind upwelling and ice-drift deflection.
Frequently asked questions
- What happens near the equator?
- f → 0 makes δ diverge; the model is not valid there—use mid-latitude settings.
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