Why do gyres flow clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere?
?The primary force responsible for surface currents is wind. Surface winds form global patterns within latitude bands. Most of Earth's surface wind energy is concentrated in each hemisphere's trade winds-westerlies in North America and easterlies in South America. Waves on the sea surface transfer some of the energy from the moving air to the water by friction. This tug of wind on the ocean surface begins a mass flow of water. The water flowing beneath the wind forms a surface current. Because of the Coriolis effect, Northern Hemisphere currents flow to the right of the wind direction. Southern Hemisphere currents flow to the left. Continents and basin topography often block continuous flow and help deflect the moving water into a circular pattern. The currents turn clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere to complete the circuit, whereas currents turn counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere to complete its circuit.
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