Agulhas Current
Topic: Movements of Ocean Water: Waves, Tides and Currents · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 13 "Movements of Ocean Water"
Meaning
The Agulhas Current is a fast, warm ocean current. It flows south along the east coast of South Africa. Two currents feed it: the Mozambique Current, which comes down through the Mozambique Channel, and the South Equatorial Current of the Indian Ocean. It forms the western side of the Indian Ocean's southern gyre (a large ring of currents that turns anticlockwise in the Southern Hemisphere). It carries warm tropical water towards the pole. Some of its warm, salty water also leaks round the tip of Africa into the Atlantic, which is called "Agulhas leakage".
Example
Off the coast of KwaZulu-Natal on South Africa's east coast, the Agulhas Current keeps the sea warm. It also makes this coast warmer and wetter than the west coast at the same latitude.
Don't confuse with
- Benguela Current: a cold current that flows north along the west coast of southern Africa. The Agulhas is warm and flows south along the east coast.
- Somali Current: changes direction with the monsoon. The Agulhas flows south all year.