The Ekman spiral effect explains______________.

Correct option is A

 
The Ekman spiral effect explains the deflection in the direction of the flow of surface currents due to the Coriolis effect. This phenomenon occurs when wind blows across the ocean's surface, and due to Earth's rotation, the water moves at an angle to the wind. This deflection continues with depth, creating a spiraling effect where the direction of flow changes progressively with increasing depth.
Information Booster:
· Ekman Spiral refers to the structure of currents or winds near a horizontal boundary, where the flow direction rotates with depth due to the Coriolis effect.
· Surface currents are deflected to the right (in the Northern Hemisphere) and to the left (in the Southern Hemisphere) as a result of this phenomenon.
· The Ekman Transport, derived from the Ekman spiral theory, plays a crucial role in ocean upwelling and downwelling processes, contributing to nutrient-rich waters reaching the surface.
Additional Knowledge:
The relationship of amphidromic points with co-tidal lines: Incorrect. This is related to tidal systems and co-tidal points, not the Ekman spiral effect.
The progressive wave theory of tides: Incorrect. This theory deals with the movement of tides, not with ocean currents or the Ekman spiral.
The presence of thermocline and halocline zones: Incorrect. These zones are related to temperature and salinity gradients in the ocean and are not explained by the Ekman spiral effect.