Changing wind patterns & monsoon currents
Consider Indian Ocean north of equator
From Sept. to May, winds blow off Asia & over ocean
- Coriolis effect creates a typical NE trade wind
- Ekman flow induces in a typical northern equatorial current
From May to Sept., winds blow from Indian Ocean over Asia
- Coriolis effect creates westerly winds
- Ekman flow induces a southwest monsoon current
- Creates a seasonal east-flowing or clockwise current gyre in northern Indian Ocean