ESS228
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
Sverdrup Transport
• Continuity equation
for an incompressible flow:
• Assume the
horizontal flows are geostrophic:
• Replace the
geostrophic flow pressure gradients:
• The continuity
equation becomes:
Ekman layer pumping
è vertical depth
decreases
è move
equatorward to conserve absolute vorticity.
Ekman layer suction
è vertical depth
increases
è move poleward to
conserve absolute vorticity.
