Question

    In the North Indian Ocean, there is a complete reversal of the direction of ocean currents between summer and winter. Which of the following factors is primarily responsible for this phenomenon?

    A Temperature Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B Winds Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C Salinity Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D Insolation Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    In the North Indian Ocean, there is a complete reversal of the direction of currents between summer and winter. In summer from June to October, when the dominant wind is the South-West Monsoon, the currents are blown from a south-westerly direction as the South-West Monsoon Drift. This is reversed in winter, when the North-East Monsoon blows the ocean current from the north-east as the North-East Monsoon Drift. This demonstrates the dominating effect of winds on the circulation of ocean currents.

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