It's not unreasonable to assume the Coriolis effect is common knowledge...
...given that a whole episode of the Simpsons was based on it (Bart vs Australia). It wasn't exactly a science lesson but it's enough for people to get that this is some kind of physical phenomenon. And given the context in which it is used in the quoted text I reckon most people are going to be able to deduce what the author is trying to describe. Even if they aren't Simpsons fans.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
