Which mechanism causes a change in a geostrophic stream's flow direction influenced by Earth's rotation near the equator?

💡 Explanation

Near the equator, a decreased Coriolis force weakens the deflection of the stream, because geostrophic balance between Coriolis and pressure gradient forces diminishes. Therefore flow direction changes result, rather than increased acceleration, momentum, or Ekman transport which would require stronger Coriolis effects or other driving forces.

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