Which of the following is a named warm current in the North Atlantic?

• A. Labrador Current
• B. Canaries Current
• C. California Current
• D. Gulf Stream

Answer: (D)

The key idea here is identifying a warm, named current in the North Atlantic. The Gulf Stream fits this description: it is a powerful warm surface current that originates in the tropical Atlantic and moves northward along the eastern coast of the United States before crossing the Atlantic toward Western Europe. This transport of warm water helps keep Western Europe milder in winter than its latitude would imply. In contrast, the Labrador Current brings cold sub-Arctic water south along the Canadian coast, the Canaries Current is a cooler current off northwest Africa, and the California Current is a cold current in the Pacific. Because the question asks for a named warm current in the North Atlantic, the Gulf Stream is the best choice.