The mathematical modelling of wind-drift ocean currents

Wind-generated currents play a crucial role in the near-surface oceanic circulation. They are characterised by a three-way balance between the horizontal pressure gradient, the Coriolis force, and the horizontal stress that arises through turbulent motion due to the overlying wind. Historically, the first model that successfully captured the main qualitative properties of wind-drift currents was proposed in 1905 by V. W. Ekman, as an attempt to explain seemingly counter-intuitive observations made by Fridtjof Nansen during his celebrated Fram expedition of 1893-1896. In this talk, I will provide an overview of the physical principles driving wind-drift currents and discuss the key aspects of the derivation and properties of a more general and consistent model for these flows, beyond Ekman's classical model.

This is ongoing work with Christian Puntini (Universität Wien).