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The Vertical Coordinate formula calculates the vertical position in oceanography based on the depth of frictional influence and the angle between wind and current directions. It helps determine the vertical distribution of ocean currents influenced by wind stress.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: This formula relates the vertical coordinate to the depth scale over which frictional effects are significant and the angular difference between wind and current directions.
Details: Accurate vertical coordinate calculation is crucial for understanding ocean current profiles, modeling ocean circulation patterns, and predicting the vertical structure of wind-driven currents in oceanography.
Tips: Enter Depth of Frictional Influence in meters and Angle between Wind and Current Direction in degrees. Both values must be valid (DF > 0).
Q1: What is Depth of Frictional Influence?
A: Depth of Frictional Influence is the depth over which turbulent eddy viscosity significantly affects ocean currents, typically ranging from tens to hundreds of meters.
Q2: Why is 45 degrees subtracted in the formula?
A: The 45-degree offset accounts for the typical Ekman spiral deflection where surface currents are deflected 45 degrees from the wind direction.
Q3: What are typical values for the angle θ?
A: The angle between wind and current direction typically ranges from 0° to 90°, with surface currents often deflected 45° from the wind direction.
Q4: How does this relate to Ekman theory?
A: This formula is derived from Ekman layer theory, which describes how wind-driven currents vary with depth and change direction due to the Coriolis effect.
Q5: What are the limitations of this formula?
A: This simplified formula assumes constant eddy viscosity and may not account for complex oceanographic conditions like stratification, varying bathymetry, or time-dependent forcing.