Ocean Current of Atlantic Ocean

OCEAN CURRENTS OF ATLANTIC OCEAN



CURRENTS OF NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

North Equatorial Current (NEC)

It starts from western coast of Africa and moves towards the eastern coasts of Latin America parallel to the Equator.

Antilles Current (AC)

It gets its name from the islands of Antilles. As the North Equatorial Current strikes the coasts of Brazil near “Cape de Sea Rogue” it is deflected towards north and when it reaches West-Indies it splits into two branches. The one that passes along the eastern coast of West-Indies is called Antilles Current.

Florida Current (FC)

Both Antilles Current and NEC reach the gulf of Mexico where the waters of two large North American rivers “Mississippi” and “Missouri” also fall. Here a rise in water level occur that result in generation of Florida Current that moves along the USA coasts in the east up to “Cape Halteras”

The Gulf Stream (GS)

The Current of Ocean that is moving from “Cape Halteras” to “Grand banks” is Known as the Gulf Stream.

North Atlantic Drift (NAD)

As the current reaches the “Grand Banks” the effect of Westerlies changes direction of the Current towards east and it moves towards Europe in form of North Atlantic Drift.

Norwegian Current (NC)

When NAD reaches Ireland coasts it divides into two branches. One moves along the coasts of Norway as Norwegian Current ultimately it enter Arctic Ocean.

Canaries Current (CC)

The other branch of North Atlantic Drift moves towards Equator along the coasts of Canary so is called Canaries Current. Finally this cool current joins the North Equatorial Current and completes its circuit.

East Greenland Current (EGC)

It is a cool current that moves between Greenland and Iceland and enters the North Atlantic Drift. The point of convergence is near Iceland where dense fog is produced as a result. This current also cools down North Atlantic Drift.

Labrador Current (LC)

This current moves from Arctic to Atlantic in North to South Direction along the eastern coasts of Canada and meets Warm Gulf Stream at New-Foundland. As a result dense fog is produced here as well.

Saragossa Sea 

It is the calm part of North Atlantic Ocean within the close circuit of North Equatorial Current, Gulf Stream, North Atlantic Drift and Canaries Current. It covers almost 11000 Km2 of area. It is named so because Saragassum grass grows over its surface due to its static nature.

CURRENTS OF SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

South Equatorial Current (SEC)

This current originates from the western borders of continent of Africa and moves parallel to the equator and reaches the eastern coasts of Brazil

Brazilian Current (BC)
On striking the Brazilian coasts the South Equatorial Current is deflected towards the south along Brazilian coasts and is known as Brazilian Current

South Atlantic Drift (SAD)

When the Brazilian Current reaches the Falkland Islands it comes under the influence of strong Westerlies and is deflected towards east and is known as South Atlantic Drift.

Falkland Current (FC)

This is a cold Current that starts from the southern part of Ocean near the coasts of Antarctica and washes the borders of Falkland Island near eastern coasts of Argentina. It falls in Brazilian current and adds cooling effect in it.

Benguela Current (BC)


When the South Atlantic Drift strikes the Western Coasts of Africa its direction is changed towards north and touches the coasts of Benguela and is known as Benguela Current. It ultimately joins the South Equatorial Current.

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