Oyashio current

views updated May 08 2018

Oyashio current Western boundary current in the subpolar gyre of the N. Pacific. It originates in the Bering Sea and flows south-west off the Kuril Islands to meet the Kuroshio current east of northern Japan. The current flows at less than 0.5 m/s, it is cold (4–5°C at 200 m depth), and has a low salinity (33.7–34.0 parts per thousand).

Oyashio Current

views updated May 18 2018

Oyashio Current The western boundary current in the subpolar gyre of the North Pacific. It originates in the Bering Sea and flows south-west off the Kuril Islands to meet the Kuroshio Current east of northern Japan. The current flows at less than 0.5 m/s, it is cold (4–5°C at 200 m depth), and has a low salinity (33.7–34.0 parts per thousand).