California Current
Topic: Movements of Ocean Water: Waves, Tides and Currents · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 13 "Movements of Ocean Water"
Meaning
The California Current is a cold ocean current that flows south along the west coast of North America. It is one branch of the North Pacific Drift, which splits into two near North America. It forms the eastern arm of the clockwise current loop of the North Pacific. The cold water cools the air above it. This brings fog, cool summers and little rain to the coast. Winds also push surface water away from the shore. Cold, nutrient-rich water rises from below to replace it, which is called upwelling.
Example
The California Current brings San Francisco its well-known summer fog and cool summers. Further south, it adds to the dryness of the Baja California peninsula in Mexico.
Don't confuse with
- Alaska Current: it is the other branch of the North Pacific Drift, but it is warm and flows north. It keeps southern Alaskan ports free of ice.