Variation of current in the Ekman layer with depth. D is the thickness of the Ekman layer. The current is shown from the surface (z=0) to the bottom of the Ekman layer (z=D) in depth increments of 1/10 of the Ekman layer thickness.

The current is 45° to the right of the wind at the surface and rotates clockwise as it decreases with depth. The net effect of the current distribution is water transport at right angle to the wind (ie to the east in this example.

The example assumes a southerly wind in the northern hemisphere. In the southern hemisphere the graph is the mirror image with respect to the vertical axis.

If the wind blows from a different direction the structure aligns with the new wind direction, such that the surface current is always at 45° from the wind direction.

contact address: