Currents of the Pacific Ocean

          The currents of the Pacific Ocean follow the same pattern as those of the Atlantic Ocean, except that slight changes in direction have occurred due to the configuration of land masses.
         
          In the equatorial belt flow the North Equatorial Current and the South Equatorial Current. The North Current flows westwards towards the Philippines and from there it turns towards the north so that it passes by the side of Japanese islands and is known as Kuro Siwo. This warm current does the same to Japan as the Gulf Stream does to Western Europe. Blown by the westerly, a branch of the Kuro Siwo reaches the coast of British Columbia as West Wind Drift and as it washes past California, it is known as California Current.
         
          Its counterpart is the Cold Kuerile Current, very much similar to the Labrador Current in its origin as well as in its effect.

          In the Southern Pacific, the South Equatorial Current, after branching off at several places, reaches the eastern coast of Australia where it is known as the East Australian Current. On the Pacific coast flows the cold Peruvian or Humboldt Current from the Antarctic region.

Currents of the Indian Ocean

          Currents of the Indian Ocean vary in their direction according to the seasonal change in the direction of monsoon winds. In winter, the monsoon winds are blowing from the north-east and as such the current flowing by the Indian coastline takes a westerly course and is known as the North eastern Monsoon Drift. This branches off towards the south along the east African coast and then travels westward as the Indian Counter Current.
         
          In summer, the monsoon drift flows along the coastline of India but takes an easterly course and is known as the South West Monsoon Drift. Thus does not enter the straits near Singapore but, after making a detour, joins with the main equatorial current.
         
          The currents in the South Indian Ocean are the same throughout the year. They do not change their direction along with monsoons. The equatorial current is produced by the south-east trade winds and it passes in a semi-circle-its eastern arm passing by the western coast of Australia as the West Australian Current, while its western arm divides into two branches-the Mozambique Current passing by the coast of the mainland of East Africa and the Madagascar Current making a loop round the island of Madagascar to join the Mozambique current and flowing past the eastern coast of South Africa, as the Aqulhas Current.

Effects of Currents

1.                 The cold climate of country under the influence of a warm current becomes milder.
2.                 From ancient time, the ocean currents and winds serve as natural power for international trade. The icebergs are often seen to be floating along the cold currents. So the sailors generally avoid the cold currents and choose the warm current for safe sailing of their vessels.
3.                 Warm ocean currents may bring rainfall to the coastal regions. If a warm current flows along the coast, wind may take sufficient moisture. This wind may move to the land and cause rainfall. Similarly a cold current may bring snowfall to the coastal area.
4.                 The atmosphere over the cold currents is cold and so the coastal areas under the influence of cold currents are much colder.
5.                 The contact of two currents of different temperatures often causes fogs and violent storms.
6.                 In the meeting place of cold and warm currents some shallow banks may be created by the deposition of mud and stones.