Coriolis effect

Definition

The Coriolis effect is the apparent deflection of moving objects, such as air or water currents, caused by the rotation of the Earth. It causes moving objects to be deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Related terms

Jet Stream: High-altitude winds that blow from west to east in narrow bands. They are influenced by the Coriolis effect and play a crucial role in weather patterns.

Hadley Cell: A large-scale atmospheric circulation pattern that occurs between the equator and 30 degrees latitude. It is driven by temperature differences caused by solar radiation and influenced by the Coriolis effect.

Gyres: Large rotating ocean currents that circulate around subtropical high-pressure systems. The direction of gyres is determined by both wind patterns and the Coriolis effect.