The Coriolis Effect

It turns out the toilets here don't actually flush the other way. Any observed difference in toilet flushing is actually the result of smaller and more subtle differences in toilet design and flush technology, as opposed to any hemispheric-scale phenomenon.

If the rumors were true, it would be the result of a global atmospheric force called the Coriolis Effect. Named for Gaspard Gustave de Coriolis, a 19th century French mathematician, the Coriolis Effect is a way of describing Coriolis' observation that because of the rotation of the earth, air and other moving objects appear to be deflected to the right in the northern hemisphere, and to the left down south. The Coriolis Effect is a major determinant of global air circulation and wind direction, and also impacts the movement of hurricanes (they call them tropical cyclones here) and other storms originating in the tropics: to the northeast in the northern hemisphere, to the southeast here.

Anyway, the Coriolis Effect doesn't quite apply on a small enough scale to concern the movement of water in a toilet, or down a sink drain. "That's a myth," as my Geography professor here noted. Actually, it's a bit of buzz kill. Once again we have scientists, allegedly armed with stubborn "facts," and "data," standing in the way of good people who just want to have a little fun and live their lives. What jerks. No wonder no one actually believes in global warming.

For the first time in three weeks, I spent this past weekend in Auckland. It's not that Auckland isn't an alright place, just that the rest of this country is far more interesting. Traveling with some other international students, we've done some pretty good work on the New Zealand northland these past few weeks. I've got a map hanging in my room here where I'm tracing out all of our trips with a blue pen, and the top part of the North Island is almost entirely covered. Next week it's on to the South Island for mid-semester break, where we plan to see as much as one can reasonably expect to see in a two week span.

1,000 word essay

If a picture is indeed worth a thousand words, I'll err on the side of concision and see if I might explain these last few weeks with some photos. There's a lot, so if you're short on time you might err on the side of selectivity.

Coromandel Peninsula
NZ Northland/Bay of Islands

More to come soon; most likely after I disappear down south for a couple weeks.

Cheers,

Matt