In Ocean Currents - Part 1, Ocean Current Stream & its Origin, we learned about the origin of ocean currents and their types. Now we will learn about ocean currents flowing in different parts of the world. One point is important here, the water currents coming from the poles are cold while the water currents coming from the equator are warm. For this, we will study the world mainly by dividing it into three regions. Whose brief details are given below –
Atlantic Ocean Currents
The Atlantic Ocean extends between America, Africa, Europe and Greenland. We will understand the Atlantic Ocean currents by the water currents of the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere as per convenience.
A. Northern Hemisphere Currents
B. Southern Hemisphere Currents
A. Northern Hemisphere Currents
1. North Equatorial Current ( warm current )
It flows from the coast of Africa in the east near the equator to the Western Islands (many island groups located in the southern part of North America, including the West Indies, Nicaragua, Honduras, Haiti etc.). Before hitting the Western Islands, a branch of the South Equatorial Warm Current joins it.
Statue of Equality2 . Antilles Current
The combined current formed by the meeting of a branch of the North Equatorial Current and the South Equatorial Current, which enters the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico and further joins the Gulf Stream, while the remaining part flows along the eastern side of the Western Islands are known as the Antilles Current.
3. Florida Current (warm current)
It is a combined water current of the North and South Equatorial Current, which enters the Gulf of Mexico near the West Island. Flowing along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, it joins the ocean at the mouth of Florida, which is called the Florida Current at that place. The Antilles Current also joins it at this place.
4. Gulf Stream
It was first observed by Ponce de Leon in 1513, but later published with a map by Benjamin Franklin in 1769, which was published with scientific facts by Alexander Agassi in the 19th century.
When the Antilles Current meets the Florida Current and moves beyond Hatteras Island in the United States, it is called the Gulf Stream. It extends from Hatteras Island to Grand Banks (45 degree west longitude). Since it originates in the Gulf of Mexico, it is also called the Gulf Current. Here its width is approximately 49 km. Its speed is 5 km / h and temperature is 28 degree centigrade.
In fact, it is not a warm current of the North Atlantic Ocean, but it is a group of warm water currents.
5. East Greenland Current (cold current)
It flows from the poles and runs from north to south along the coast of eastern Greenland. It goes further and joins the North Atlantic current. Icebergs keep flowing in these currents, which are dangerous for ships.
6. Labrador Current
This water current originates from Baffin Bay on the west coast of Greenland and flows from north to south along the Labrador Plateau and joins the Gulf Stream in Newfoundland.
Due to the meeting of cold and warm water currents on Newfoundland, there is a thick fog shadow. The conditions here create ideal conditions for the development of fishes.
7. North Atlantic Current
The Gulf stream current beyond the Grandbank is called the North Atlantic Current. It takes the Gulf stream current to Europe, due to which Europe gets a lot of benefits in winter. In winter, when snowfall begins in most of the countries of northern Europe, due to the warm current of the North Atlantic current, snowfall or ice spread does not occur and thus the ports remain open. Norway gets the most benefit from this. It is also called the 'Blanket of Europe' because of stopping the spread of snow in Europe. It splits into two parts near Spain.
8. Canary Current (cold current) and Norwegian Current (warm current)
The North Atlantic Current splits into two near Spain. A part of it flows towards the north towards Norway, which is known as the Norwegian Stream.
While the other branch flows towards the south, flowing along the north-west coast of Spain, Portugal and Africa, flows near the Canary Islands. Hence it is called Canary Current. Here, under the influence of trade winds, the Canary Current again joins the North Equatorial Warm Current.
B. Southern Hemisphere Currents
1. South Equatorial Currents (Warm Current)
It starts from West Africa in the Southern Hemisphere near the equator and flows to the eastern part of South America. Here it collides with St. Rocks Island and splits into two. The first branch meets the North Equatorial Current, while the second branch passes along the eastern Brazilian coast.
2 . Brazil Current
After the split, the second branch of the South Equatorial Current flows south along the coast of Brazil, where it is called the Brazil Current. Later, it collides with the cold current of Falkland near 40 degree south latitude and starts flowing from west to east in the Southern Dark Ocean.
3. Falkland Current (cold current) and Peru or Humboldt Current (cold current)
The cold current running from west to east in the Antarctic Ocean collides with Cape Horn in South America and divides into two parts. One of its branches starts running from south to north along the eastern coast of South America, which is called the Falkland Current. Going forward it joins the Brazilian stream.
While the other branch flows north along the Peruvian coast of South America with the help of the western edge. Near the Peruvian coast it is called the Peru Current or the Peruvian Current. Due to its discovery by Humboldt, it is also called Humboldt current.
4. South Atlantic Current or Antarctica Current
Due to the strong and cold westerly effect in this region, the water in the Atlantic Sea moves from west to east. This is the flow of a cold water stream.
5. Benguela Current ( cold current )
The South Atlantic Current, hitting the west coast of South Africa, moves north along the coast. Here it is called the Benguela Current. Moving forward, this current joins the South Equatorial Warm Current.
6. Counter-Equatorial Current (warm current)
On both sides of the equator, the North Equatorial Current in the north and the South Equatorial Current in the south move along the equator when they collide with the east coast of South America and move towards north and south respectively, but after hitting the east coast some of the water Part again reaches the Guinea coast of Africa through the calm zone of the equator. In this way, the reverse flow of water between the two currents is called the opposite or anti-equatorial current.
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