Gravitation of the Moon Gives Rise to Oceanic Currents

Alexander Ivanchin

Institute of Monitoring of Climate and Ecological Systems, Tomsk, Russia.

DOI: 10.4236/ijg.2015.67061                

Abstract

At present there is no theory of sea and oceanic currents due to the lack of understanding of the driving forces. The currents have a vortex character, so only moments of force can set them in motion. In the article, it is shown that the gravitation field of the Moon affecting the rotating Earth produces two moments of force: associated and tidal. Although the gravitation field is potential, the rotating Earth is a nonenertial system, in which the moment can occur due to the external potential force. Estimates show that the associated force can be sufficient to produce the observed flow rates. The associated force field tends to increase the natural rotation of the Earth and slow down the speed of the revolution of the Moon around the Earth, i.e. bring the Moon nearer the Earth, its action is opposite to the action of the tidal force. The action of the associated force is examined by the example of the circumpolar and local currents. The associated force produces vortices counterclockwise in the Northern hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern one. The associated force affects the atmosphere resulting in the observed predominance of western winds. It is necessary to take into account the above force when considering such atmospheric phenomena as cyclones and anticyclones, tradewinds, monsoons, etc. In the lithosphere, the associated force makes tectonic plates turn.

Keywords

Sea and Oceanic Currents, Driving Forces of Sea Currents, Atmospheric Vortices, Tectonic Plate Movement, Tides in the Lithosphere

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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