Davidson Current facts for kids
The Davidson Current is like a hidden river in the Pacific Ocean that flows north along the western coast of the United States. It's a special kind of ocean current called a countercurrent. This means it flows in the opposite direction to the main current next to it, which is the California Current. While the California Current moves south, the Davidson Current moves north, hugging the coastline from Baja California, Mexico, all the way up to northern Oregon.
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What is the Davidson Current?
The Davidson Current is a unique ocean current found off the western coast of North America. It gets its name because it flows counter to the usual direction of the main ocean currents in that area. Imagine two lanes of traffic on a highway; the California Current is like one lane going south, and the Davidson Current is the other lane going north, right next to the coast.
This current travels along the coast from Baja California in Mexico, past California, and up to northern Oregon. It usually ends around the latitude of 48°N.
How Does the Davidson Current Work?
The Davidson Current is active all year long, but it behaves differently depending on the season.
- Under the surface: For most of the year, it flows about 650 feet (200 meters) below the ocean's surface. It's like a deep, hidden river.
- Surfacing in winter: During the winter months, usually from mid-November to mid-February, the Davidson Current comes to the surface. This happens because the strong northerly winds that usually blow along the coast become weaker. Instead, gentler southwesterly winds start to blow, allowing the current to rise.
Who Discovered the Davidson Current?
The Davidson Current was discovered by an amazing American scientist named George Davidson. He was a very skilled person who worked as a geodesist (someone who studies the Earth's shape), astronomer, geographer, surveyor, and engineer. George Davidson was also involved with the early California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, California.
See Also
- North Pacific Gyre
