Question

What explains the eastward flow of the equatorial counter-current?

Answer 1

Lying primarily between latitude 3° and 10° N, the countercurrents shift south during the northern winter and north during the summer.

To either side the trade winds blow constantly and push great volumes of water westward in the equatorial currents, raising the sea level in the west. Within the doldrums, where strong constant winds are absent, the higher western sea levels flow downslope to the east.

The Pacific Equatorial Countercurrent is very strong and is definable year-round.

The Atlantic Equatorial Countercurrent is strongest off the coast of Ghana (Africa), where it is known as the Guinea Current.