Physics

Geostrophic Current

Geostrophic Current

A geostrophic current is an oceanic flow where the pressure gradient force is balanced from the Coriolis effect. The direction of geostrophic flow is parallel towards isobars, with the questionable to the right on the flow in the North Hemisphere, and the high pressure to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. This kind of concept is familiar by weather maps, whose isobars show the direction of geostrophic flow inside the atmosphere.