Correct Answer - Option 1 : Gulf stream
The Gulf stream is a Warm Ocean current flowing along the eastern coast of North America.
Ocean current:
- Ocean currents and planetary winds affect world climate on a larger scale.
- An ocean current is a continuous, directed movement of seawater.
- It is generated by a number of forces acting upon the water, including wind, the Coriolis effect etc.
Gulf stream:
- The Gulf Stream is a strong ocean current that brings warm water from the Gulf of Mexico into the Atlantic Ocean.
- It extends all the way up the eastern coast of the United States and Canada and on to western Europe.
- This strong current of warm water influences the climate of the east coast of Florida.
- It keeps temperatures there warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than the other southeastern states.
- Since the Gulf Stream also extends toward Europe, it warms western European countries as well.
- In fact, England is about the same distance from the equator as the cold regions of Canada, yet England enjoys a much warmer climate.
- If it weren’t for the warm water of the Gulf Stream, England would have a much colder climate.
- The Gulf Stream is caused by a large system of circular currents and powerful winds, called an oceanic gyre.
- The Gulf Stream is part of the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre.
- It is a deep ocean current.
Thus, the correct statement with respect to Gulf Stream is that it is a warm ocean current that influences weather along the east coast of the United States.
Ocean current |
Characteristics |
Canary current |
- It is a cold current in North Atlantic Ocean
- This Eastern Boundary Current is a part of the North Atlantic Gyre.
- It is named after the Canary Islands.
- Presence of Upwelling.
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Kuroshio current |
- This west boundary current is also known as Japan Currant or Black Current.
- The term “Kuroshio” in Japanese means “Black Stream ''.
- It is found in the Pacific Ocean analog of the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean.
- The average surface temperature of this current is warmer than the surrounding ocean. This also helps in regulating the temperature of Japan, which is relatively warmer.
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Brazilian current |
- It is a warm water current in the south Atlantic Ocean
- It flows south along the Brazilian south coast to the mouth of the Rio de la Plata.
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