In the northern hemisphere, what is the angle of deflection of upwelling waters due to the Coriolis effect and Ekman transport?

In the northern hemisphere, the angle of deflection of upwelling waters due to the Coriolis effect and Ekman transport is indeed 90° to the right. This is a crucial concept in oceanography and meteorology.

The Coriolis effect arises from the Earth's rotation, causing moving objects, including water masses, to be deflected to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere. In the context of ocean currents and Ekman transport, this means that surface waters are pushed at an angle to the right of the wind direction. As surface waters move, the deeper water layers are displaced upward to replace them, leading to upwelling.

In terms of Ekman transport, the net movement of water is not directly inline with the wind direction but instead occurs at an angle due to the combined effects of friction and the Coriolis effect. This results in a significant component of water moving 90° to the right of the wind direction, contributing to the upwelling process along coastlines and in ocean gyres. Understanding this dynamic is essential for navigating and making decisions in sailing and other water activities, as it influences currents and the distribution of marine resources.