Question

Which current out of the following flows in the Indian Ocean?
A) East Australian Current
B) Peru current
C) South Polar current
D) Somali current

Answer 1

Hint: An ocean current is a continuous, directed movement of seawater generated by a number of forces acting upon the water, including wind, the Coriolis effect, breaking waves, cabbeling, and temperature and salinity differences.

Complete answer:
The Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans are all connected by the South Polar current. It's well-known among sailors since it speeds up movement from west to east while also making sailing from east to west more difficult.

This zone, through which the current passes, benefits the flora as well as other sea creatures such as whales, seals, fish, and penguins. Another significant characteristic of this current is that it keeps the frigid islands from getting too close to the land.

Now, let us look at the given options:
A) East Australian Current: The East Australian Current (EAC) is the southward western boundary current that is formed from the South Equatorial Current (SEC) crossing the Coral Sea and reaching the eastern coast of Australia. This option is incorrect because East Australian Current flows over the Coral sea.
B) Peru current: The Humboldt Current, also called the Peru Current, is a cold, low-salinity ocean current that flows north along the western coast of South America. This option is incorrect because this current does not flow in the Indian Ocean. Peru current flows in the Pacific Ocean.
C) South Polar current: The Antarctic Circumpolar Current is an ocean current that flows clockwise from west to east around Antarctica. This option is incorrect because this current flow south of New Zealand. It does not flow in the Indian Ocean.
D) Somali current: The Somali Current is a cold ocean boundary current that runs along the coast of Somalia and Oman in the Western Indian Ocean. This is the correct option. Somali current, Madagascar current, West Australian current, Agulhas current, and other ocean currents can be found in the Indian Ocean.

Thus, the correct answer is Option (D) i.e, Somali Current.

Note: The Somali Current, like the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean, is a cold ocean boundary current that flows along the coasts of Somalia and Oman in the Western Indian Ocean. This circulation is the only major upwelling mechanism that occurs on an ocean's western edge, and it is significantly impacted by the monsoons.