The currents of the North Pacific Ocean are very similar to the currents of the North Atlantic Ocean. Even so, there are some distinct differences. These differences are due mainly to the large amounts of subarctic water in the North Pacific, compared with the small amount in the North Atlantic.

NORTH EQUATORIAL CURRENT. The North Equatorial Current of the North Pacific Ocean starts near the western coast of Central America. Waters of the CALIFORNIA CUR-RENT and other western and eastern North Pacific currents feed into it as it flows west. Toward the western side of the North Pacific most of the waters turn northward along the eastern coast of the northern Philippines and Formosa; some of the waters turn southward and become a part of the EQUATORIAL COUNTERCUR-RENT. Consequently, the North Equatorial Current takes very warm water to the eastern side of the island systems in the western Pacific.

CROMWELL CURRENT. The Cromwell current is a narrow, swift subsurface current centered on the equator between 2N and 2S. It flows from west to east between 140W and 92W. At the equator, the easterly flow begins at approximately 20 meters and disappears at roughly 250 meters. It reaches a maximum speed of 2 to 2.5 knots at 100 meters.

KUROSHIO SYSTEM. The Kuroshio system is quite similar to the Gulf Stream system of the North Atlantic Ocean. It begins where the North Equatorial Current leaves off. It flows past Formosa and proceeds northeastward in the deep ocean area between the China Sea and the Ryukyu Islands. The system flows eastward and north-eastward along the coast of Japan.

Like the Gulf Stream system, the Kuroshio system has three branches: the KUROSHIO CUR-RENT, KUROSHIO EXTENSION, and NORTH PACIFIC CURRENT.

Kuroshio Current. The Kuroshio corre-sponds to the Florida Current of the Gulf Stream system. It flows from Formosa to about 35N. The salinity is less than that of the Florida Cur-rent, and cold offshore winds cause an annual range in sea-surface temperature of as much as 9C in some localities.

Kuroshio Extension. As the name implies, this current is an extension of the warm Kuroshio Current. It begins near 35N, where the Kuroshio splits. The major well-defined portion of this cur-rent flows eastward to about 160E. The other branch flows northeastward to about 40N, where it turns eastward.

North Pacific Current. The North Pacific Current is not well-defined, and tracing its path across the Pacific is difficult. Temperature and salinity provide the best indications of its location. The current is most recognizable between 160 and 150W, but much of the waters turn southward before reaching 150W, forming many of the major whirls found in this portion of the North Pacific.

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