Which mechanism causes deflection of ocean currents when driven by prevailing winds?

💡 Explanation

When prevailing winds drive ocean surface currents, the Coriolis effect deflects these currents, leading to the Ekman spiral because each subsequent layer is deflected due to the layer above. Therefore the Ekman spiral is driven by the Coriolis effect, rather than geostrophic balance, Langmuir circulation, or upwelling alone, which involves other mechanisms.

• Which outcome is accelerated by increased saturation during subduction?
• Which erosional process forms a finger lake basin within a glacially carved valley?
• Which outcome results when rapid sediment deposition significantly lowers the capacity of vegetated natural levees along a river?
• Which long-term outcome results when glacial melt decreases the settling velocity in meltwater streams?
• Which outcome results when isostatic rebound lags accelerated melting of fjord glaciers?
• Near river floodplains, which process results in loess accumulation?