Question map
Which of the following are warm ocean currents?
Explanation
Ocean currents are classified as warm or cold based on their temperature relative to the surrounding water. The North Atlantic Drift is a warm current that originates from the Gulf Stream and brings warmth to Western Europe [3]. The Brazil Current is a warm western boundary current in the South Atlantic [1]. Conversely, the California Current is a cold eastern boundary current [3]. The Canary Current and Benguela Current are both cold currents located along the eastern boundaries of the North and South Atlantic respectively [3]. The West Wind Drift (Antarctic Circumpolar Current) and the Falkland Current are also cold currents [2]. Therefore, only the pair containing the North Atlantic Drift and the Brazil Current consists entirely of warm currents, as they transport tropical heat toward higher latitudes.
Sources
- [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 32: Ocean Movements Ocean Currents And Tides > Canary Current – Cold > p. 492
- [1] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 32: Ocean Movements Ocean Currents And Tides > Falkland Curre – Cold > p. 493
- [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 32: Ocean Movements Ocean Currents And Tides > Moderating Effect > p. 497