Dynamic Planet (Oceanography)

[IHateClouds]

AlfWeg said:
1) If a wind moves parallel to the equator, moving towards the east in the northern hemisphere, which way will it curve to(Equator or Poles)? Why?
2) What is Coriolis acceleration?

1. It would curve toward the equator because coriolis has a rightward/clockwise deflection in the northern hemisphere.
2. The change in direction due to the rotation of the earth. (Instead of walking in a straight line, from two points, since the earth is rotating, its curved.)

[SilverBreeze]

For #1, wouldn't it be no deflection, since it's parallel to the equator? But I'm most likely wrong, so just ignore me.

[Umaroth]

For #1, wouldn't it be no deflection, since it's parallel to the equator? But I'm most likely wrong, so just ignore me.

There would still be deflection, there's only no Coriolis force at the equator. Parallel to the equator doesn't necessarily mean at the equator.

[SilverBreeze]

For #1, wouldn't it be no deflection, since it's parallel to the equator? But I'm most likely wrong, so just ignore me.

There would still be deflection, there's only no Coriolis force at the equator. Parallel to the equator doesn't necessarily mean at the equator.

I thought Coriolis was always perpendicular to axis of rotation?
I don't know what I'm doing.

[AlfWeg]

AlfWeg said:
1) If a wind moves parallel to the equator, moving towards the east in the northern hemisphere, which way will it curve to(Equator or Poles)? Why?
2) What is Coriolis acceleration?

1. It would curve toward the equator because coriolis has a rightward/clockwise deflection in the northern hemisphere.
2. The change in direction due to the rotation of the earth. (Instead of walking in a straight line, from two points, since the earth is rotating, its curved.)

Good Work. For 1) Right, That’s a p standard definition, I think because I specified parallel to the equator, I want to a more definite explanation, after all, there is no change in radius. So why? https://stratus.ssec.wisc.edu/courses/g ... iolis.html Has a good explanation of why it curves right to the equator under Part C.
2) Can’t pretend I know too much about this, but here goes, Coriolis Acceleration is the idea that as radius changes, velocity changes(rmv)So on earth, that would be like traveling from 0 to 30 degrees. Velocity around the axis increases ( not North -South velocity) because of the Change in radius.

For #1, wouldn't it be no deflection, since it's parallel to the equator? But I'm most likely wrong, so just ignore me.

There would still be deflection, there's only no Coriolis force at the equator. Parallel to the equator doesn't necessarily mean at the equator.

I thought Coriolis was always perpendicular to axis of rotation?
I don't know what I'm doing.

Hello! I believe the same website should explain that: https://stratus.ssec.wisc.edu/courses/g ... iolis.html

[IHateClouds]

Good Work. For 1) Right, That’s a p standard definition, I think because I specified parallel to the equator, I want to a more definite explanation, after all, there is no change in radius. So why? https://stratus.ssec.wisc.edu/courses/g ... iolis.html Has a good explanation of why it curves right to the equator under Part C.
2) Can’t pretend I know too much about this, but here goes, Coriolis Acceleration is the idea that as radius changes, velocity changes(rmv)So on earth, that would be like traveling from 0 to 30 degrees. Velocity around the axis increases ( not North -South velocity) because of the Change in radius.

Okay cool!


Next questions:
1. What is the thermocline? Where is it?
2. What is the barrier layer? Why is it important?
3. What is the sea-surface microlayer? How thick is it?

[JoeyC]

The thermocline is the temperature gradient in the water along which hot surface water (mixed water) transitions into colder deep water. It is under the mixed layer.
The barrier layer separates thermocline from mixed water layer. It's important as its where most of the heat that characterizes the El NIno is stored.
The sea-surface microlayer is the region where ocean and air meet on molecular scales, being often high in nutrients and organic compounds. I'd guess it's about 1mm deep?
(where do you guys find all this stuff?)
EDIT: as in what website? I've never heard of some of this stuff til now...

[IHateClouds]

The thermocline is the temperature gradient in the water along which hot surface water (mixed water) transitions into colder deep water. It is under the mixed layer.
The barrier layer separates thermocline from mixed water layer. It's important as its where most of the heat that characterizes the El NIno is stored.
The sea-surface microlayer is the region where ocean and air meet on molecular scales, being often high in nutrients and organic compounds. I'd guess it's about 1mm deep?
(where do you guys find all this stuff?)
EDIT: as in what website? I've never heard of some of this stuff til now...

1.correct! however, to be more specific, I would add the thermocline is between 100m and 1000m, never more than 2000m.
2. correct
3. yep!

and i agree the stuff i asked was to the obscure side >w<. i honestly just spend too much time on wikipedia...

[JoeyC]

1.) What are Rossby waves (oceanic)?
2.) What are Kelvin Waves?
3.) How do both of the above mentioned waves affect ENSO and Walker Circulation?

[SilverBreeze]

1. Rossby waves are low-amplitude inertial waves in the thermocline cause by the Earth's rotation.
2. Kelvin waves balances the Coriolis force and a boundary.
3. Kelvin waves transport heat from the western Pacific toward the Americas, where it travels along the coast and drains to the poles, eventually ending the El Nino period/conditions. Rossby waves transport heat in the opposite direction but not enough to counter the Kelvin waves.(I'm not sure I fully understand this, but that's my best answer.)