Azores Current (Southeast Drift Current) 
The Azores Current is an inner part of the North Atlantic gyral 
that sets between east through south in the general vicinity of the 
Azores Islands. It is a slow, but fairly constant southeast branch- 
ing of the North Atlantic Current and part of the Gulf Stream. Its 
mean speed is only 0.4 knot, and the mean maximum speed computed from 
all observations above 1 knot in the prevailing direction is 1.3 knot; 
surface current data indicate no discernible seasonal fluctuations. 
Table 6, based on over 12,000 observations in the central part 
of the current between 30° and 40°N, shows the representative annual 
distribution of observations by speed and direction. The largest 
number of observations is in the lowest speed range of O.1 to 0.3 knot; 
thus, the speed and direction of the current could easily be influenced 
for short periods by changing winds. 
SPEED RANGES (KNOTS) 
1.0- 1.3- 1.6- 
Ie alas)” als) 
* All other directions average 7.8 percent or less. 
Table 6 Observations by direction and specified speed ranges 
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