GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The global pattern of prevailing winds is caused by the uneven heating of Earth’s surface. As prevailing winds blow across the ocean, they create surface currents in the water. Both prevailing winds and surface currents appear to curve due to Earth’s rotation. This is known as the Coriolis effect.

Detailed explanation-2: -Patterns of surface currents are determined by wind direction, Coriolis forces from the Earth’s rotation, and the position of landforms that interact with the currents.

Detailed explanation-3: -What is the Coriolis effect? The Earth’s rotation means that we experience an apparent force known as the Coriolis force. This deflects the direction of the wind to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere.

Detailed explanation-4: -But because the Earth rotates, circulating air is deflected. Instead of circulating in a straight pattern, the air deflects toward the right in the Northern Hemisphere and toward the left in the Southern Hemisphere, resulting in curved paths. This deflection is called the Coriolis effect.

Detailed explanation-5: -The winds pull surface water with them, creating currents. As these currents flow westward, the Coriolis effect-a force that results from the rotation of the Earth-deflects them. The currents then bend to the right, heading north.