Pacific North Equatorial Current

The Pacific North Equatorial Current is an ocean current that flows westward near the equator, primarily driven by the Northeast Trade Winds. It is part of a larger system of equatorial currents, which includes westward-flowing North and South equatorial currents separated by an eastward-flowing countercurrent.

This current originates between latitudes 10° and 25° N. Upon reaching the Philippines, it splits. A smaller portion turns south and then east, forming the Pacific Equatorial Countercurrent. The larger part continues north, becoming the Kuroshio Current, which eventually flows east as the North Pacific Current. A portion of this flow then turns south to become the California Current, which contributes to the Pacific North Equatorial Current.1234