Question

In the Northern Hemisphere, gyres _____.

spin clockwise
spin counterclockwise
move in straight lines
move diagonally

Answer 1

The answer is spin clockwise.

In the northern hemisphere, gyres spin clockwise due to Coriolis effect. Coriolis effect is the effect of the Earth's rotation on the oceans and atmosphere. It is the cause of deflection to the right in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere. Thus, in the northern hemisphere, gyres spin clockwise, and in the southern hemisphere, they spin counter-clockwise.