AGENTS AT WORK IN THE OCEAN 
~ 235 
Ocean Currents. — Aside from the smaller currents 
which move in the ocean, particularly near the shore 
where winds and tides cause them, there are larger 
movements of the sea known as ocean currents. 
are slowly moving ed- 
dies, which appear to be 
caused mainly by stead- 
ily blowing winds which 
drive the water before 
them. 
In the Atlantic two 
sets of winds blow from 
opposite quarters (the 
northeast and _ south- 
east), toward the equa- 
tor, causing the surface 
water to slowly drift 
beforethem. This forms 
a moderate ocean drift 
or current at the equator, 
which extends toward 
the west (Fig. 132). 
Then, dividing on the 
These 
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Fic. 182. 
Diagram of ocean currents in the Atlantic. 
coast of South America, one part moves into the South 
Atlantic, while a second, and larger portion, enters the 
North Atlantic. 
The latter, passing along the eastern 
coast of the United States, bathes it in water which 
