Equatorial Countercurrents

surface ocean currents in low latitudes of the oceans, developing in the doldrums as a result of meridional irregularity of the wind field. They move from west to east and are compensational to the equatorial currents. They are observed at depths of up to 300 m. Average speeds are 20-80 cm/sec; the maximum speed is 190 cm/sec. The rate of flow is up to 40-60 million cu m per sec (in the western part of the Pacific Ocean). The equatorial countercurrent in the Pacific is clearly definable year-round between 2° and 12° N lat.; the countercurrent in the Atlantic Ocean, in the summer between 3° and 10° N lat.; and that in the Indian Ocean, in the winter between 2° and 10° S lat.