Final answer:
The simplified model of the three-dimensional current pattern caused by a steady horizontal surface wind is called the Ekman Spiral.
Step-by-step explanation:
Simplified Model of Three-Dimensional Current Pattern
The simplified model of the three-dimensional current pattern caused by a steady horizontal surface wind is called the Ekman Spiral. This model describes the spiral-like pattern of ocean currents and wind caused by the interaction between surface winds and the Earth's rotation.
As the wind blows over the water's surface, a combination of the Coriolis effect and friction causes the surface current to deviate from the wind direction, creating a spiral pattern that extends downwards. The Ekman Spiral helps us understand how wind impacts ocean currents and how they transfer heat and nutrients throughout the ocean.