The invisible puppeteer spinning our oceans and atmosphere
In short: Why do hurricanes spin, or why does a toilet flush curve? This video explores the Coriolis effect—the hidden physical force caused by Earth's rotation that dictates global weather patterns and ocean currents.
Named after French scientist Gaspard-Gustave Coriolis, this phenomenon occurs because the Earth rotates on its axis every 24 hours. To visualize it, imagine throwing a ball across a spinning turntable: while the ball moves in a straight line from space, it appears to curve to an observer on the moving surface.
The video connects these physics basics to La Niña, part of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Surface waters off South America drop below typical warmth levels throughout La Niña periods, illustrating how Earth's spin shapes intricate weather patterns.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: La Niña Watch 2025: Are We Spinning Towards a Global Catastrophe?
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