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.