Ekman spiral

The Ekman spiral describes how ocean water moves at different depths due to the Earth's rotation and the wind blowing across the surface. Near the surface, water moves at an angle to the wind direction, but as you go deeper, the water’s movement gradually shifts direction and slows down. This creates a spiraling pattern of current flow beneath the surface. The phenomenon helps explain how nutrients and heat are distributed in oceans and influences climate patterns. It’s a key concept in understanding ocean currents and their complex behavior.