Ocean Currents of Pacific Ocean
Important currents of the Pacific Ocean are as follows:
North Equatorial Current (Warm)
The north equatorial current originates off the western coast of Mexico and flows in westerly direction and reaches the Philippines coast after covering a distance of 7500 nautical miles. This current is originated because of the Californian current and north-east monsoon. The volume of water continuously increases westward because numerous minor branches join this current from the north. A few branches also come out of the main current and turn towards -north and south. One branch emerges from the north equatorial current near Taiwan and flows northward to join Kuroshio current while the southern branch turns eastward to form counter equatorial current. It is significant to note that north equatorial current flows as a continuous current i n the north Pacific Ocean but there are seasonal variations in its northern and southern marginal areas. The velocity of the current ranges between 12 and 18 nautical miles per day. With the northward (northern summer) and southward (south northward and southward but it always remains to the north of equator.
South Equatorial Current (Warm)
The south equatorial current is originated due to the influence of south-east trade winds and flows from east to west. This current is stronger than the north equatorial current. The average velocity is 20 nautical miles per day while the maximum velocity becomes 100 nautical miles a day. Numerous minor currents join this current. from the left and thus. the volume of water continuously increases west-ward, The current is bifurcated into northern and southern branches near New Guinea. The northern branch turns eastward and flows as counter equatorial current w rule the southern branch –moves towards the northern and north-eastern coasts of Australia.
Counter Equatorial Current (Warm)
The current flowing west to east between the north and south equatorial currents is termed counter equatorial current. Because of trade winds immense volume of water is piled up in the western marginal parts of the ocean, with the result there is general slope gradient of water surface from west to east. This higher water level in the west and descending slope gradient of water surface from west to east make the oceanic water flow in easterly direction in the name of counter equatorial current which is the most developed counter current in the Pacific Ocean. This counter equatorial current is extended up to the Panama Bay.
Kuroshio System (Warm)
The Kuroshio System consists of several currents and drifts is similar to the Gulf Stream system of the Atlantic Ocean. This system runs from Taiwan to the Bering Strait and consists of the Kuroshio current, the Kuroshio extension, the north Pacific drift, the Tsushima current and the counter Kuroshio current.
Oyashio Current (Cold)
The Oyashio cold current is also known as Kurile cold current. This cold current flows through the Bering Strait in southerly direction and thus transports cold water of the Arctic Sea into the Pacific Ocean. Near 50°N latitude this current is bifurcated into two branches. One branch turns east-ward and merges with the Aleutian and Kuroshio currents. The second branch moves upto the Japanese coasts. This current is comparable to the cold Labrador Current of the North Atlantic Ocean. The convergence of cold Oyashio (Kurile) and warm Kuroshio Current causes dense fogs which become potential hazards for navigation.
California Current (Cold)
The California current, an example of cold current, is similar to the Canary cold current of the Atlantic Ocean in most of its characteristics. In fact, this current is the eastward extended portion of the North Pacific drift. The cold California current is generated because of the movement of oceanic water along the Californian coast from north to south in order to compensate the loss of water which is caused due to large-scale transport of water off the coast of Mexico under the influence of trade winds in the form of the north equatorial current. This current after reaching the Mexican coast turns west-ward and merges with the north equatorial current.
Peru Current (Cold)
The cold current flowing along the western coast of South America from south to north is called Peru current or Humboldt current. This current is known as Peru coastal current near the coast w bile it is called Peru oceanic current off the coast. Mean annual temperature ranges between 14°C and 17°C and the average velocity of moving water is 15 nautical miles (27km) per day. The temperature of sea water increases from the coast towards the ocean.
East Australia Current (Warm)
South equatorial current is bifurcated near the Australian coast into northern and southern branches. The southern branch flows as east Australia current from north to south along the eastern coasts of Australia. New Zealand is surrounded by this current. It is deflected eastward near 40°S latitude due to deflective force of the earth and flows in easterly direction under the influence of the westerlies. This is a warm and more consistent current. It raises the temperature of east Australian coast for considerable distance southward.