Which effect does the Coriolis force primarily have on large-scale ocean currents, leading to gyre formation?

💡 Explanation

When wind-driven currents encounter continental boundaries, the Coriolis force deflects them because it acts perpendicularly to the water's velocity and is stronger at higher latitudes. Therefore, deflection relative to wind direction is the result, rather than increase/reduction due to temperature/salinity or tidal acceleration which are controlled by different mechanisms.

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