This current system originates in the Gulf of Mexico around 20 N latitude and moves in north easterly direction along the eastern coast of North America and reaches the western coasts of Europe near 70° N latitude.
North Equatorial Current 2. This current is more constant, stronger and of greater extent than the north equatorial current. In fact, this current is the continuation of North Atlantic Drift which turns southward near the Spanish coast and flows to the south along the Coast of Canaries Island.
29.1).South equatorial current flows from the western coast of Africa to the eastern coast of South America between the equator and 20° S latitude. This zone is characterized by the subsidence of air from above and the resultant anticyclonic conditions. (a) One branch enters the Mediterranean Sea while (b) the other branch, known as Rennell current (named after scientist Rennell), enters the Bay of Biscay and flows up to the northern coasts of France and Spain.Rennell current is further divided into sub- branches wherein one branch enters the English Channel while the other branch after flowing to the south of Ireland merges with the North Atlantic Current, (c) Third branch is the main branch which flows through the coasts of Spain, Azores etc.
Thus, the Florida warm current contains most of the characteristics of the equatorial water mass.
There is an anticyclonic circulation of ocean currents comprising the north equatorial current, the Gulf Stream and the Canary current in the North Atlantic Ocean.
The northern branch flows northward and merges with the north equatorial current while the southern branch known as the Brazil current flows southward along the east coast of South America upto 40°S latitude.Thereafter it is deflected eastward due to the deflective force of the rotation of the earth and flows in easterly direction under the influence of the westerlies.
and reaches the western coast of Africa to join the cold Canary current.The Gulf Stream system largely modifies the weather conditions of the eastern coasts of the USA and the western coasts of Europe.
Labrador Current 7. It may be pointed out that similar Sargasso Sea is not found in the South Atlantic Ocean.The extent of the Sargasso Sea is delineated on the basis of the extent of sea weeds and the gyral of ocean currents.
According to Wing the boundary is determined by 27°W longitude in the east, by 20°N longitude in the south, by 40°N latitude in the north and by the location of the Gulf Stream in the west. The current often mixes with northern cold polar water to produce excellent fishing grounds near islands and … (i) Florida current from the strait of Florida to Cape Hatteras,(ii) Gulf Stream from Cape Hatteras to the Grand Bank, and(iii) North Atlantic Drift (current) from Grand Bank to the Western European coast.Florida current is in fact, the northward extension of the north equatorial current. This currents is less developed in the west due to stress of trade winds.
According to Wust the discharge of Florida current passing through Florida Strait is 26 million mGulf Stream was discovered for the first time by Ponce de Leon in the year 1513.
Gulf Stream 5. The third group believes that the sea weeds of the Sargasso Sea are floating plants without roots.Before uploading and sharing your knowledge on this site, please read the following pages:
The flow discharge rate of the current is 7.5 million mThe Brazil current is characterized by high temperature and high salinity. Further northward, this current merges with the South Equatorial Current.There is an anticyclonic circulation of ocean currents comprising the north equatorial current, the Gulf Stream and the Canary current in the North Atlantic Ocean. This branch is also divided into several sub- branches. The following points highlight the ten main currents in the Atlantic Ocean. Trades) and the westerlies.
It undergoes major changes because of mixing of cool water of the cold Labrador Current with its warm water.
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.Characterized by warm temperature and high salinity, the North Atlantic Current is sometimes concealed at the surface by shallow and variable wind-drift movements.