Which currents flow toward the equator?

• A. Warm currents
• B. Cold currents
• C. Surface currents
• D. Deep currents

Answer: (B)

Currents that move toward lower latitudes carry cooler water from higher latitudes toward the equator. In the world’s ocean gyres, these equatorward flows are typically cold currents that originate in polar or subpolar regions and travel along the western sides of basins, bringing cool water to lower latitudes. Examples include the California Current on the western coast of North America and the Canary, Benguela, and Humboldt (Peru) currents along western Africa and South America. This cooling influence helps moderate coastal climates and supports upwelling that fuels productivity offshore. By contrast, warm currents tend to move toward higher latitudes (poleward) along eastern margins, so the pattern described fits cold currents flowing toward the equator.