Ocean Current - Part 1, Ocean Current Stream & its Origin

Ocean Current Stream

We all have seen the flow of water in the rivers, which flows from a certain direction to another. But due to the flow of wind, the surface water of the river also flows towards the banks to a certain extent, which is called a Wave. In the same way, the movement of water flowing in a certain direction in the sea and ocean is called Ocean Currents. On the basis of the direction, speed and shape of the current in the ocean, it can also be understood in the following way –

• Drift: When the surface water of the ocean flows forward due to the wind, it is called drift.
• Current: When the ocean water moves in a certain direction with a rapid speed within a certain limit, it is called a current.
• Stream: When the excessive water of the ocean moves in a certain direction, it is called Stream.
• Effluent - The movement of water from top to bottom on the sea surface is called Effluent.
• Upflow – The movement of water from bottom to top on the sea surface is called upwelling.

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Origin of Ocean Currents

There are many factors for the origin of ocean currents, but there are two main factors by which ocean currents originate and their speed is affected –

1. The first main reason is the flow of winds and friction on the surface of the sea. In the direction in which the winds blow on the surface of the sea, they also carry the sea water in the same direction.
2. The density of sea water means that the warmer the water, the less its density and thus the warm currents become lighter. On the other hand, the colder the water, the higher its density and thus the cold current will become heavier. That is, ocean currents will start flowing from the area of high density to the area of low density. In this way, like the winds, the warm water current starts flowing towards the cold area and the cold water current starts flowing towards the hot area.
3. Movement of water current – Due to the effect of Coriolis force, the flowing ocean currents (water current) start flowing in an elongated circular form, which is called Circular Motion or Gyre. In this circular motion, the current in the Northern Hemisphere moves in the clockwise direction, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it moves in the anti-clockwise direction.

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Factors which Affects Origin of the Ocean Currents

There are many factors in the origin of ocean currents, which along with the origin of ocean currents also affect the climatic conditions of the Earth. Ocean currents also play an important role in the balance of temperature on the earth. These factors are as follows –

1. Rotation and Revolution of the Earth

Due to the rotation of the earth from west to east direction, the path of ocean currents becomes circular. Currents in the Northern Hemisphere turn to their right and in the Southern Hemisphere the currents turn to their left.

2. Ocean Factors

Under this, the temperature of the oceans, their salinity, the density of sea water etc. play an important role.

3. External Ocean Factors

In this, the insolation on the surface of the ocean and the evaporation of water due to it, air pressure, wind and wind direction are important.

4. Seasonal Changes

Changes in currents are mainly seen in the Indian Ocean due to the effect of monsoon winds. Due to the North-East and South-West monsoon winds in the North Indian Ocean, the currents change twice a year, whereas in the South Indian Ocean, the currents change twice a year. A certain sequence is found.

5. Direction and Size of Sea and Ocean Coast

When the continental part comes perpendicular to the direction of the ocean currents, obstruction occurs in the ocean currents, and these currents start running parallel to the continental coast.

6. Shape or Topography of the Bottom of the Ocean

Various topography found in the bottom of the ocean such as bottom plains, bottom uplift, bottom ridges, bottom hills and bottom troughs and trenches play an important role in the origin and flow of ocean currents.

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Types of Ocean Currents

On the basis of temperature, ocean currents are of two types –

1. Warm Current
2. Cold Current

1. Warm Current:

Those currents which flow from the equator towards the poles are called warm currents. Alaska Current, Norway Current, El Nino Current etc. are warm and tropical currents.

2. Cold Current:

Those water currents which flow from the poles towards the equator are called cold currents. Kuril Current, East Greenland Current, Falkland Current etc. are cold currents.

Different Ocean Currents and Their Condition

For the convenience of study, we can understand the various oceanic currents of the world in the following ways –

1. Ocean Current - Part 1, Ocean Current Stream & its Origin
2. Ocean Current - Part 2 , Atlantic Ocean Currents
3. Ocean Current - Part 3, Pacific Ocean Currents
4. Ocean Current - Part 4, Indian Ocean Currents, Effect and Importance of Currents

we will discuss about above topics in the following articles.

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