What is the Coriolis force?
The Coriolis force results from Earth's rotation. Away from the equator, the Coriolis force causes moving objects to deflect from their initial path. In the northern hemisphere, objects deflect toward the right of their path; in the southern hemisphere, they deflect toward the left.
Coriolis force in, and beyond, the Gulf of Maine
The Coriolis force affects the movement of water and wind in the Gulf of Maine but not the movement of water in your sink, toilet, etc. Why? Because Earth's rotation is so slow (i.e., one rotation per day), the Coriolis force is relatively weak. And although weak, the Coriolis force does influence large-scale, long-lived circulation patterns including atmospheric vortices and oceanic gyres. In fact, the "weak" Coriolis force can produce a significant effect on air and ocean circulation over time.
- Fraser, A. B. (1995). Bad Coriolis. URL: http://www.ems.psu.edu/~fraser/Bad/BadCoriolis.html.
- Open University Course Team. (1989). Ocean Circulation. Pergamon Press.
