Monsoon currents of the North Indian Ocean
Also called: Monsoon drift · Topic: Movements of Ocean Water: Waves, Tides and Currents · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 13 "Movements of Ocean Water"
Meaning
In the north Indian Ocean, the currents change direction with the seasons. Asia closes off the ocean's northern side, so the seasonal monsoon winds steer the currents here, not steady trade winds. In summer, during the south-west monsoon, the circulation turns clockwise and the South-west Monsoon Current flows east. In winter, during the north-east monsoon, the circulation turns anticlockwise and the North-east Monsoon Current flows west. The Somali Current and the East India Coastal Current also reverse.
Example
In summer, the South-west Monsoon Current flows east, south of India and Sri Lanka. In winter it is replaced by the North-east Monsoon Current, which flows west along the same belt.
Don't confuse with
- Ocean gyres elsewhere: in the Pacific, the Atlantic and the southern Indian Ocean, gyres turn the same way all year: clockwise in the north and anticlockwise in the south. Only the north Indian Ocean reverses.