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Ekman Spiral Explorer

Wind-driven ocean currents deflected by Coriolis force

3D Perspective View

Top View (Plan)

Ekman depth (DE): -
Surface deflection: 45°
Coriolis param (f): -
Net transport dir: -

The Ekman Spiral

Discovered by Fridtjof Nansen (who noticed icebergs drifting at an angle to the wind) and explained mathematically by Vagn Walfrid Ekman in 1902. Wind stress on the ocean surface creates currents that are deflected by the Coriolis effect—to the right in the Northern Hemisphere, left in the Southern. Each deeper layer is deflected further, creating a spiral pattern that decays exponentially with depth.

u(z) = V₀ e^(z/D) cos(π/4 + z/D)   |   v(z) = V₀ e^(z/D) sin(π/4 + z/D)

The Ekman depth DE = π√(2Az/f) marks where the current is opposite to surface flow and essentially negligible. The net Ekman transport is perpendicular to the wind (90° right in NH), which drives upwelling/downwelling and large-scale ocean gyres.