What explains the eastward flow of the equatorial counter-current
What explains the eastward flow of the equatorial counter-current?
- The Earth's rotation on its axis
- Convergence of the two equatorial currents
- Difference in salinity of water
- Occurrence of the belt of calm near the equator
Answer
There are two equatorial current flowing from east to west - the North EC and South EC. In between the two, there flows a equatorial counter current in the opposite direction, i.e from west to east. Now, it is said that piling up of waters in the area near Brazil, due to convergence of the two equatorial currents give rise to the equatorial counter current. This is because in this area due to convergence, the water is raised.
So, we have an area near Brazil where the water is raised. It will have to come down and flow as a current. But in which direction will it come down and flow? This is will decided by the direction of Earth’s rotation. Earth rotates from west to east, so the piled up water due to earth’s rotation will come down on its eastern side and will thus flow in the eastward direction.
If however, the earth would have been rotating east to west, the piled up water would have come down on the west side. Therefore, essentially its the earth’s rotation that explains the eastward flow of equatorial counter current.
The correct option is A.