Syllabus |
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Topics for Prelims |
Ocean Currents, Surface Currents, Deep Ocean Currents, Warm Currents, Cold Currents. |
Topics for Mains |
Oceanography, Climate Science, and Marine Biology. |
Ocean currents are the persistent and foreseeable seawater flow influenced by gravity, wind, and water density. The movement of ocean water occurs in both horizontal and vertical directions, with vertical shifts labelled upwellings or downwellings and horizontal motions referred to as currents.
Ocean Currents UPSC is one of the most important topics for the UPSC IAS exam. It covers a significant part of the 'Geography – Physical Geography' (General Studies-1) syllabus. Join UPSC Coaching today to boost your UPSC preparation.
Ocean currents are the constant flow of seawater in a particular direction. They can be affected by several things, including winds, tides, and differences in water density. Ocean currents are critical because they help distribute heat, nutrients, and other substances around the globe, which can significantly impact weather patterns and the distribution of marine life. Ocean currents are patterns of water movement that influence climate zones and weather patterns worldwide.
Ocean currents are mainly classified into two groups - surface currents, which are influenced by wind, and deep water currents, which are influenced by differences in water density.
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Ocean currents are caused by several natural forces together. The preliminary reasons for ocean currents are wind patterns, the rotation of the Earth (Coriolis effect), and disparities in water temperature and salinity levels. Surface currents are influenced mainly by prevailing breezes like the trade winds and westerlies. Deep ocean currents form due to thermohaline circulation. Gravity and the position of the mainlands also show the movement and force of currents. Warm water from the equator shifts toward the poles, and cold water rushes back toward the equator. This scenario creates a constant international circulation that controls climate and sustains aquatic energy.
There are two forces behind ocean currents: Primary and Secondary. Let's study each type in detail.
The primary forces of ocean currents are wind, the Coriolis effect, and gravity. These forces form water movement on the sea surface and support maintaining the directive and flow of currents. The primary forces that drive ocean currents can be classified into different types:
Secondary forces of ocean currents have water density disparities driven by temperature and salinity variations, tides, and the shape of ocean basins. These forces control the depth, speed, and movement of currents. The secondary forces that drive ocean currents can be classified into different types:
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Ocean currents are primarily categorized into surface currents and deep ocean currents. Surface currents rush in the upper 400 meters of the sea and are driven mainly by wind patterns, the Earth's orbit, and the formation of coastlines. These currents include warm currents like the Gulf Stream and cold currents like the California Current. Deep ocean currents, also known as thermohaline currents. Thermohaline currents appear below the surface and are caused by water density disparities driven by temperature and salinity. These currents gradually form the international conveyor belt, spreading water across the seas. Both kinds play a pivotal role in controlling Earth's environment and maintaining marine ecosystems. There are two main types of ocean currents: Surface currents and Deep ocean currents.
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Ocean currents can be categorized based on temperature into warm and cold currents. Warm currents form near the equator and rush toward the poles. It holds warm water and increases the temperatures of coastal regions they pass. Instances contain the "Gulf Stream" and the "Kuroshio Current." Likewise, cold currents form in polar or high-latitude parts and rush toward the equator, obtaining cooler water that reduces the temperature of nearby coastal zones. Instances contain the "Labrador Current" and the "Peru Current". This temperature-based variety helps to understand how ocean currents impact global climate, aquatic biodiversity, and coastal climates worldwide. Ocean currents can also be classified based on their temperature.
Warm currents are one such classification. They are ocean currents that are comparatively warmer than the surrounding water. They typically originate in low-latitude regions where warm water is present.
Cold currents are ocean currents that are cooler than the surrounding water. They typically originate in high-latitude regions where the water is freezing.
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The North Equatorial Current is a significant surface current in the Pacific Ocean that flows east to west along the equator.
The South Equatorial Current is a significant surface current in the Pacific Ocean that flows from east to west along the equator.
Also, check out the Ocean Floor article and its UPSC preparation features!
The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) is an ocean current that flows around the continent of Antarctica with an average water flow of 130 million cubic meters per second. It is the world's most significant ocean current and an essential part of the climate and ocean circulation systems.
UPSC Civil Service Examination (PYQ) Q.1 How do ocean currents and water masses differ in their impacts on marine life and the coastal environment? Give suitable examples. (UPSC Mains 2019) Q.2 Explain the factors responsible for the origin of ocean currents. How do they influence regional climates, fishing and navigation? (UPSC Mains 2015) |
The Equatorial Counter Current is an ocean current that flows eastward along the equator in the opposite direction of the trade winds. It is a relatively narrow and shallow current, and it is found in all three major oceans, i.e. the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans.
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Ocean currents are dispersed across all five major oceans. These major oceans include the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic. Every ocean combines warm and cold currents that disperse water globally. The Atlantic and Pacific Oceans have well-defined gyres, while monsoons deeply impact the Indian Ocean's currents. The Southern Ocean unites all others, recreating a fundamental position in international circulation. The distribution of ocean currents across five major oceans is discussed below.
The Atlantic Ocean has several major currents, including the Florida Current, North Atlantic Current, Benguela Current, South Equatorial Current, etc., affecting weather patterns and marine ecosystems in the regions they impact.
Ocean Current |
Cold/Warm |
Brazil Current |
Cold |
Caribbean Current |
Warm |
Florida Current |
Warm |
South Atlantic Current |
Cold |
Angola Current |
Warm |
Antilles Current |
Warm |
Benguela Current |
Cold |
Cape Horn Current |
Cold |
Falkland Current |
Cold |
North Atlantic Current |
Warm |
The Arctic Ocean has currents that collect fresh water and ice in the Beaufort Sea.
Ocean Current |
Cold/Warm |
Labrador Current |
Cold |
Baffin Island Current |
Cold |
The currents of the Pacific Ocean include the Humboldt Current, the Kuroshio Current, the California Current, the Alaska Current, etc.
Pacific Ocean Currents |
Cold/Warm |
Kamchatka Current |
Cold |
Humboldt Current |
Cold |
Alaska Current |
Warm |
North Pacific Current |
Warm |
Kuroshio Current |
Warm |
The Indian Ocean currents include Agulhas Current, Somali Current, West Australian Current & Leeuwin Current, which could impact climate and marine ecosystems in their flow regions.
Indian Ocean Currents |
Cold/Warm |
West Australian Current |
Cold |
Mozambique Current |
Warm |
Leeuwin Current |
Warm |
Agulhas Current |
Warm |
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Ocean currents influence global temperature by circulating heat between the equator and the poles. They impact climate patterns, sustain oceanic ecosystems, and support ocean life migration. Currents also influence coastal temperatures and play an essential function in navigation and international commerce. Ocean currents affect the world's oceans, climate, and ecosystems differently. Some of the most significant effects include:
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