Download Global Winds and the Coriolis Effect

Global Winds and the Coriolis Effect
• As Earth rotates, different latitudes travel at different speeds
• The change in speed with latitude also causes the Coriolis effect
North Pole
Buffalo moves 783 mph
Quito moves 1036 mph
Buffalo
15o
N
Quito
Buffalo
79oW
Quito
South Pole
Global Winds are caused by unequal heating of Earth’s surface.
Unequal heating results in regions of high and low pressure, which
causes air to flow from high pressure regions toward low pressure
regions.
Currents of rising and falling air (warming and cooling) are
continuous, which drives the global wind belts.
It’s all about density…
• Warm, low density air rises
• Cool, high density air sinks
• Creates circular- moving loop of air (convection cell)
… and moisture!
• Cool air cannot hold much water vapor, so is typically dry
• Warm air can hold more water vapor, so is typically moist
• Density differences cause a pressure gradient (differences in air
pressure)
The result of these factors are global wind belts and climate!
These wind belts also drive ocean currents
Both wind and ocean currents
are influenced by land masses.
A) Idealized winds generated by pressure gradient and Coriolis Force.
B) Actual wind patterns due to land masses.
• Surface ocean currents (upper 100m or so) are driven by
wind.
• Deeper water currents are driven by density differences,
caused by differences in temperature and salinity.