Agulhas Current


Agulhas Current

[ə′gəl·əs ′kər·ənt] (oceanography) A fast current flowing in a southwestward direction along the southeastern coast of Africa.

Agulhas Current

 

a warm current in the Indian Ocean, off the southeast shores of Africa. The current is formed at the confluence of the Mozambique and Madagascar currents; it runs to the south. Velocity of the Agulhas Current is 2.7–3.7 km/hr. At approximatly 38° S lat. it meets the cold current known as the West Wind Drift and disappears into the depths. The temperature of the water in February is from 27°C in the north to 20°C in the south, and in August, from 22°C in the north to 16°C in the south. Salinity is 35.5 parts per thousand.