Final answer:
The cause of the Coriolis effect is the Earth's rotation, leading to a deflection of moving objects to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere, affecting large-scale atmospheric and oceanic patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Coriolis effect is caused by the Earth's rotation. It is an inertial force that causes the apparent deflection of moving objects when viewed in a rotating frame of reference, such as Earth. This deflection is to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere. The Coriolis effect is usually negligible for small-scale motions but has substantial effects on large-scale motions, like wind patterns and ocean currents. For instance, it influences the counterclockwise rotation of hurricanes in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.