Pacific South Equatorial Current

The Pacific South Equatorial Current is an ocean current that flows westward near the equator, primarily driven by the Southeast Trade Winds. It generally moves between 5° N and 15°–20° S latitude until it reaches approximately 180° E longitude.1

At this point, the current divides:
* Part of it turns north, merging with the countercurrent.
* Another part veers south to become the East Australian Current.
* A portion flows east of New Zealand, feeding into the South Pacific Current and the West Wind Drift, which move eastward.1

The Peru Current, flowing north, is a source for the Pacific South Equatorial Current. This westward flow is part of a larger system of equatorial currents controlled by prevailing winds.12