Note on the role of boundary friction in the wind-driven ocean circulation

Abstract

The oceans are subjected to wind stresses that drive the main currents. Because of the stratification of the water the currents decay vertically and at the bottom the stresses are quite small. It has earlier been argued that the torque due to the wind stresses must be balanced by lateral stresses at the coasts, to prevent the oceanic bodies of water from accelerating in rotation.DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1964.tb00177.x