Talk:Ekman layer

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I do not believe that the proposed merger of the Eckman layer article with the Eckman spiral article is appropriate, as they seemingly relate to different phenomena (despite the fact they both derive from Coriolis forces). For instance, the depth of the Eckman layer is determined by laminar flow considerations, whilst the depth of the Eckman spiral is stated as being controlled by turbulent mixing processes. Furthermore, whereas the Eckman layer is a general classification of laminar boundary layer (akin to Blasius or Prandtl boundary layer), the Eckman spiral appears to relate to a specific Oceanographical effect.

Seconded. Also, it is Ekman in most references... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 131.215.220.112 (talk) 02:32, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

I agree that the Ekman layer and the Ekman spiral are separate phenomena. The Ekman layer is the layer of fluid where velocities are affected by viscous interaction with a boundary, while the Ekman spiral describes how velocities change between the surface and the general (typically geostrophic) flow.0nullbinary0 (talk) 17:41, 22 February 2008 (UTC)