Question

Explain the Indian ocean with respect to the following aspects :

Ocean Currents

Answer 1

Ocean Currents:

1. The pattern of currents in the Indian Ocean differs from those in the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans.
2. The monsoon wind system has an effect on the currents in the northern Indian Ocean.
3. The shape of the coastline of the Indian Ocean, its extent, and the peculiar arrangement of the wind system that prevails in the region also influence the system of the ocean currents in the Indian Ocean.
4. It has Equatorial Currents but the north equatorial current is weaker than the south equatorial current.
5. North of the equator the currents are influenced by the seasonally reversing monsoon wind system.
6. The current system in the southern part of the Indian Ocean leads to the development of a large gyre.
7. The two major arms of this gyre are:-
   South equatorial current flowing east to a west direction under the influence of easterlies. The circulation is completed in the west by Mozambique - Agulhas currents. The second arm is 'West Wind Drift' flowing from west to east under the influence of westerlies and the circulation is completed in the east by West Australian current. It is considered to be one of the major gyres on a global scale.
8. In the northern portion of the Indian Ocean, seasonal monsoonal winds drive the current. During summer, they follow a clockwise direction, and during winter, their direction shows a complete reversal and they flow in an anticlockwise direction.