The Falkland Current - Oceanic Currents - Geography Notes
The Falkland Current, also known as the Malvinas Current, is a cold water current that flows north along Patagonia's Atlantic coast as far north as the mouth of the Rio de la Plata. This current is caused by the movement of water from the West Wind Drift as it travels around Cape Horn. In the Argentine Sea, this cold stream combines with the tropical Brazil Current, resulting in a moderate environment. This article will explain to you about The Falkland Current which will be helpful in Geography preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.
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The Falkland Current
- The Falkland Current (also known as the Malvinas Current or the Falkland Islands Current) is a cold water current that runs northward along Patagonia's Atlantic coast all the way to the mouth of the Rio de la Plata.
- The passage of water from the West Wind Drift as it rounds Cape Horn causes this stream.
- It is named after the Falkland Islands (Spanish: Islas Malvinas). In the Argentine Sea, this frigid stream interacts with the tropical Brazil Current.
- The current is an equatorial current that transports cold, generally fresh subantarctic water. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current includes the Falkland Current.
- The Falkland Current is not a surface current like the Brazil Current, but it does reach the seafloor.
Falkland Current
The Falkland Current: Physical Features
- The current is a subantarctic current that flows equatorward and carries cold, relatively fresh water.
- The Falkland Current, unlike the Brazil Current, is a deep-water current that reaches all the way to the ocean floor.
- The Falkland Current is a branch of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current in the Southern Hemisphere, traveling northward in the South Atlantic Ocean along the east coast of Argentina to about 30° to 40° S, where it meets the southward-flowing Brazil Current and is redirected eastward.
- The stream has a low salinity of about 33.5 parts per thousand and is characterized by frigid temperatures
- The Falkland Current carries icebergs from the Weddell Sea as far north as latitude 35° S.
The Falkland Current - Biological Features
- The frigid waves of the Malvinas Current stir up nutrients from the ocean floor and transport them to the surface.
- The nutrient- and plankton-rich zones of the Malvinas currents have resulted in a diverse ecology teeming with plant and sea life.
- The area's marine life is built on a foundation of enormous phytoplankton blooms.
- The abundance of fish and other marine life in the impacted areas of the Malvinas Current has resulted in a significant fishing industry off Argentina's coast.
- Argentina and the Falkland Islands in the region rely heavily on fishing hauls and licensing fees for revenue.
- Plankton and fish are attracted to the ocean's surface by strong floodlights used by night fishermen.
- Up to 200 squid boats can cluster together in high chlorophyll areas off the
Brazil-Malvinas Confluence
- The Brazil-Malvinas Confluence Zone is formed where the cold Malvinas Current meets the warm, saltier tropical waters of the Brazil Current just off the coasts of Argentina and Uruguay.
- The Brazil–Malvinas Confluence Zone (also known as the Brazil–Falkland Confluence Zone or the Brazil–Falklands Confluence Zone) is a very active area of water located just off the coasts of Argentina and Uruguay, where the warm poleward flowing Brazil Current and the cold equatorward flowing Malvinas Current meet.
- The confluence zone varies in latitude, although it is generally found between 35 and 45 degrees south latitude and 50 to 70 degrees west longitude.
- When these two currents collide, a strong thermohaline is formed, as well as a slew of high-energy eddies.
Brazil-Malvinas Confluence
Conclusion
The Falkland Currents are warm currents well recognized for their ecological benefit of being a plankton-rich zone. To preserve biodiversity, the researchers are keeping an eye on overfishing and illicit fishing. It takes its name from the Falkland Islands (Spanish: Islas Malvinas). This cold stream interacts with the tropical Brazil Current in the Argentine Sea.
FAQs
Question: What is the Falkland Current?
Answer: The Falkland Current is a cold oceanic current that flows northward along the eastern coast of South America. It originates from the Southern Ocean and is influenced by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. The Falkland Current flows across the South Atlantic Ocean, bringing cold water into the region, which significantly impacts the climate and marine life of the surrounding coastal areas.
Question: How does the Falkland Current affect the climate of South America?
Answer: The Falkland Current significantly cools the climate of the eastern coast of South America. By bringing cold water from the Southern Ocean, it creates cooler sea surface temperatures in regions such as the Falkland Islands, southern Argentina, and Uruguay. This results in a cooler and more temperate climate, which affects both the local weather patterns and marine ecosystems.
Question: What is the relationship between the Falkland Current and the Antarctic Circumpolar Current?
Answer: The Falkland Current is a continuation of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, which flows around Antarctica. The cold waters of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current influence the Falkland Current as it flows northward along the eastern coast of South America. The Falkland Current is one of the main cold currents that flow out of the Southern Ocean, contributing to the cooling of the region.
Question: What impact does the Falkland Current have on marine life?
Answer: The cold waters of the Falkland Current promote the growth of phytoplankton, which serves as the base of the food chain in the region. The cold, nutrient-rich waters support a wide range of marine life, including fish, krill, and seabirds. This makes the coastal waters along the Falkland Islands and southern Argentina rich in biodiversity and an important area for fishing industries.
Question: What role does the Falkland Current play in global ocean circulation?
Answer: The Falkland Current is part of the larger global ocean circulation system, contributing to the mixing of cold water from the Southern Ocean with warmer waters of the South Atlantic. It is an important component of the thermohaline circulation, which plays a key role in regulating Earth’s climate by distributing heat around the planet. The Falkland Current helps to balance the heat and salinity levels across the Atlantic Ocean and impacts regional climate systems.
MCQs
1. What is the primary source of the Falkland Current?
A) The Gulf Stream
B) The Antarctic Circumpolar Current
C) The Kuroshio Current
D) The Benguela Current
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: The Falkland Current originates from the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, which flows around Antarctica and is a significant cold current in the South Atlantic Ocean.
2. How does the Falkland Current influence the climate of Argentina?
A) It warms the climate
B) It cools the climate
C) It has no effect
D) It causes rainfall
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: The cold waters of the Falkland Current cool the climate of eastern Argentina by lowering sea surface temperatures, which results in cooler coastal weather conditions.
3. Which of the following regions is primarily affected by the Falkland Current?
A) Northern Brazil
B) South Africa
C) Southern Argentina and the Falkland Islands
D) Australia’s eastern coastline
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
Explanation: The Falkland Current flows along the eastern coast of South America, affecting regions like southern Argentina and the Falkland Islands.
4. What is the role of the Falkland Current in the global oceanic circulation?
A) It helps in distributing heat across the globe
B) It causes upwelling in the Pacific Ocean
C) It drives the Gulf Stream
D) It influences the monsoon in India
Answer: (A) See the Explanation
Explanation: The Falkland Current is part of the global thermohaline circulation, which helps in distributing heat across the globe, playing an important role in regulating the climate system.
5. The Falkland Current primarily consists of what type of water?
A) Warm water
B) Cold water
C) Saltwater
D) Freshwater
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Explanation: The Falkland Current consists of cold waters, which originate from the Southern Ocean and are part of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.
GS Mains Questions and Model Answers
Q1: Discuss the role of ocean currents like the Falkland Current in influencing regional climates and ecosystems.
Answer: Ocean currents like the Falkland Current play a significant role in regulating regional climates by transferring heat between different parts of the globe. The Falkland Current, being a cold current, cools the coastal regions of South America, leading to cooler weather patterns, especially along the coast of Argentina and the Falkland Islands. These currents also influence marine ecosystems by bringing nutrient-rich waters to the surface, which support diverse marine life. The interaction of ocean currents with atmospheric conditions also contributes to global weather patterns and precipitation systems.
Q2: Evaluate the impact of the Falkland Current on the fishing industry of the surrounding regions.
Answer: The Falkland Current plays a crucial role in sustaining the fishing industry in southern Argentina and the Falkland Islands. By bringing nutrient-rich cold waters to the surface, the current supports abundant marine life, such as fish, krill, and other sea creatures. These nutrients foster a rich ecosystem that sustains fisheries, making these regions significant for commercial fishing. The impact of the Falkland Current on local fisheries is vital for both food security and the economy of these coastal regions.
Q3: How do ocean currents like the Falkland Current contribute to the broader global climate system?
Answer: Ocean currents like the Falkland Current are integral to the global climate system because they regulate the distribution of heat and moisture across the planet. By transporting cold water from the Southern Ocean, the Falkland Current affects the temperature and weather patterns along the eastern coast of South America. Furthermore, the movement of ocean currents is connected to the thermohaline circulation, which helps maintain global temperature balance. Changes in such currents can have widespread impacts on climate, influencing weather systems, sea level rise, and even regional climate patterns across continents.
Previous Year Questions on Ocean Currents
1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2021:
Question: Which of the following ocean currents is known for its cold water, impacting the eastern coast of South America?
A) Gulf Stream
B) Falkland Current
C) Kuroshio Current
D) Agulhas Current
Answer: (B)
Explanation: The Falkland Current is a cold oceanic current that flows northward along the eastern coast of South America, bringing cold waters from the Southern Ocean.
2. UPSC CSE Mains 2018 (GS Paper 1):
Question: "Discuss the significance of ocean currents like the Falkland Current in regulating global weather patterns."
Answer: Ocean currents such as the Falkland Current play a vital role in regulating global weather patterns by distributing heat and moisture across different regions. They influence not only local weather conditions but also contribute to global climatic systems by interacting with atmospheric processes. Cold currents like the Falkland Current can moderate temperatures along coastal regions, impact marine ecosystems, and play a role in precipitation and storm systems.
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