Question

The following illustration depicts the circulation pattern in the North Indian Ocean during the southwest (June–August) monsoon. Identify the markers numbered from 1–5 in the illustration and pick out the right choice.

• 1. Great Whirl, 2. East India Coastal Current, 3. East African Coastal Current, 4. Summer (Southwest) Monsoon Current, and 5. West India Coastal Current
• 1. East African Coastal Current, 2. Summer (Southwest) Monsoon Current, 3. Great Whirl, 4. South Equatorial Counter Current, and 5. East India Coastal Current
• 1. Great Whirl, 2. Summer (Southwest) Monsoon Current, 3. West India Coastal Current, 4. Somali Current, and 5. East India Coastal Current
• 1. East African Coastal Current, 2. West India Coastal Current, 3. Somali Current, 4. East India Coastal Current, and 5. South Equatorial Current

Hint:

During SW monsoon (June–Aug), Arabian Sea develops the Great Whirl and Somali Current, while Bay of Bengal is dominated by the eastward-flowing Summer Monsoon Current.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Recall circulation during the southwest monsoon (June–August).
- The southwest monsoon drives strong cross-equatorial winds that produce characteristic surface currents in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. - The major features are: - Great Whirl: A large anticyclonic gyre off the coast of Somalia. - Somali Current: A strong western boundary current along the East African coast. - Summer Monsoon Current: Flows eastward across the equator into the Bay of Bengal. - East India Coastal Current: Flows along the east coast of India, usually poleward in summer. - West India Coastal Current: Flows equatorward along the west coast of India in summer.
Step 2: Match markers with map positions.
- Marker 1 (off Somalia) → Great Whirl.
- Marker 2 (east coast of India) → East India Coastal Current.
- Marker 3 (East Africa coast) → East African Coastal Current.
- Marker 4 (equatorial Indian Ocean current flowing eastward) → Southwest Monsoon Current.
- Marker 5 (west coast of India) → West India Coastal Current.
Step 3: Verify with options.
This exactly corresponds with Option (A). Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\text{(A) 1. Great Whirl, 2. East India Coastal Current, 3. East African Coastal Current, 4. Summer (Southwest) Monsoon Current, 5. West India Coastal Current}} \]