Which of the following ocean currents is associated with Indian Ocean ?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — C, Agulhas current. The Agulhas Current is a warm western-boundary current of the south-west Indian Ocean; it flows southward along the east coast of southern Africa (off Mozambique and South Africa), making it the Indian Ocean current in the list. The other three belong to other oceans: the Florida and Canary currents are Atlantic, and the Kurile (Oyashio) current is Pacific.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) A warm current of the North Atlantic — it flows out of the Gulf of Mexico around Florida and feeds the Gulf Stream, so it is Atlantic, not Indian Ocean.  (b) A cold eastern-boundary current of the North Atlantic, flowing south past the Canary Islands and north-west Africa — an Atlantic Ocean current.  (d) The cold Kurile (Oyashio) current flows south-west past the Kuril Islands in the North Pacific — a Pacific Ocean current, not Indian Ocean.

Concept: Ocean currents are classified by their ocean basin and as warm or cold, and they circulate in large gyres. In the Indian Ocean the notable currents include the warm Agulhas and Mozambique currents (south-west), the Somali current, the cold West Australian current, and the monsoon-reversing North Indian Ocean currents.

State PCS 2020 Q78 — Geography PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2020 Q78 — Geography PYQ with Answer