SAGE Reference - Encyclopedia of Global Warming and Climate Change

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Wind-Driven Circulation

By: Christopher Merrett
In: Encyclopedia of Global Warming and Climate Change
Edited by: S. George Philander
Subject:Environmental Sociology, Climatography
Keywords:cooling; equator; gulf stream; heating; oceans; trade winds; wind

WIND-DRIVEN CIRCULATION (WDC) refers to ocean currents initiated and propelled by winds blowing across the surface of the ocean. Wind-driven circulation is part of the complex system of energy and heat redistribution that helps to draw tropical heat away from equatorial regions to moderate the earths climate.

Wind Generation

Wind is caused by the uneven solar heating of the Earths surface, which creates areas of high and low atmospheric pressure. Pressure differentials cause air to circulate from areas of high to low pressure. Solar heating is greatest near the equator, causing a region of low pressure. Rising air moves northward as cooler air from high pressure, mid-latitude regions moves towards the equator. The Coriolis Effect, the rotational action of the earth spinning on its access, deflects the ...

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  Merrett, C. (2008). Wind-driven circulation. In S. G. Philander (Ed.), Encyclopedia of global warming and climate change (pp. 1092-1092). SAGE Publications, Inc., https://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781412963893.n715
  
  Merrett, Christopher. "Wind-Driven Circulation." In Encyclopedia of Global Warming and Climate Change, edited by Philander, S. George., 1092-1092. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2008. http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781412963893.n715.
  
  Merrett, C. 2008. Wind-Driven Circulation. In: S. G. Philander Editor, 2008. Encyclopedia of Global Warming and Climate Change, Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. pp. 1092 Available at: <http://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781412963893.n715> [Accessed 22 Jun 2021].
  
  Merrett, Christopher. "Wind-Driven Circulation." Encyclopedia of Global Warming and Climate Change. Edited by S. G. Philander. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc., 2008, pp. 1092-1092. SAGE Knowledge. 22 Jun 2021, doi: http://www.doi.org/10.4135/9781412963893.n715.
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