The Ekman Spiral describes how wind blowing over the ocean surface moves the water. Because of the Coriolis effect, the surface water moves at a 45-degree angle to the wind. Each deeper layer of water moves even more slowly and at a further angle, eventually creating a spiral of water movement that goes deep below the surface. ANSWER: (A) The upper layers of the ocean
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The Ekman Spiral is a key concept in oceanography and atmospheric science. It shows the friction-link between the air and the sea. When wind pushes the surface water, the Coriolis force pulls that water to the right (in the Northern Hemisphere). That top layer of water then “drags” the layer below it, which also turns to the right. This continues down to about 100 meters. The total result is “Ekman Transport,” where the net movement of water is actually 90 degrees to the wind direction. This process is what causes “upwelling,” bringing nutrient-rich cold water to the surface.
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