Somali Current

THE SOMALI CURRENT can be found on the surface of the northern Indian Ocean, serving as a western boundary of this ocean. It is a movement of waters around the Indian Ocean, dispersing heat. Atmospheric circulation and ocean circulation together are the major mechanisms for global heat distribution. As [Page 912]atmospheric circulation defines large-scale air movements around the globe, ocean circulation refers to the patterned movement of particular waters.

In summer, a southwest monsoon blows upward from the east coast of the Horn of Africa. Carried along with the monsoon are the waters of the western Indian Ocean, moving in a northeast direction underneath, and powered by winds. These waters may reach speeds of 9 mi. per hour (14 km. per hour). As the current reaches ...