Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Surface currents in the Bay of Bengal were discovered to flow left of the winds, defying global oceanographic norms.
NOAA scientists used long-term buoy data to uncover this unexpected deviation from traditional current models.
This finding contrasts Vagn Walfrid Ekman’s 1905 principle, which predicted Northern Hemisphere currents to the right of winds.
The Bay of Bengal, vital for monsoons and marine life, shows how unique geography influences its ocean behavior.
Lead scientist Michael McPhaden highlights implications for weather, climate, fisheries, and disaster responses.
Insights could aid NASA’s upcoming satellite mission studying high-resolution surface winds and currents.
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Accurate data is crucial as one-third of the world relies on monsoons for agricultural production.
Researchers from NOAA, India, and other global institutions collaborated to decode these mysterious flows.
These findings set the stage for better predictions and management of monsoons and marine ecosystems worldwide.