Ocean current

continuous flow of ocean water

An ocean current is a continuous movement of ocean water from one place to another. Ocean currents are created by wind, water temperature, salt content, and the gravity of the moon. The current's direction and speed depend on the shoreline and the ocean floor. They can flow for thousands of miles and are found in all the major oceans of the world. One major example of an ocean current is the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean. Ocean currents can be found on the water surface and deeper down.

A map of all the large ocean currents of the world.
All the world's currents on a continuous ocean map

Major ocean currents of the world change

Arctic Ocean change

Atlantic Ocean[1] change

Pacific Ocean change

Indian Ocean change

Southern Ocean change

Notes change

  1. "Surface Currents in the Atlantic Ocean". Archived from the original on 2008-12-07. Retrieved 2009-03-28.