The South Equatorial Current is generated by the south-east trade winds. This current flows from the west coast of Africa to the east coast of South America in a westerly direction. It is certainly stronger and more uniform than the North Equatorial Current.
It flows in a wide belt between 4°N latitude and 20°S latitude. In June and July the velocity of this current is more than 20 nautical miles per day.
Since the Thermal Equator is located a few degrees to the north of the Geographical Equator, the South Equatorial current, in a larger part of the year, extends to the north of the equator.
After reaching near the coast of Brazil this current is divided into two branches near the Cape Sao. The northern branch moves northwest towards the Caribbean Sea, where it joins the North Equatorial Current.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
While the southern branch bends southward and flows along the east coast of Brazil, where it is called the Brazil Current. The Brazil Current is characterized by high surface temperature and high salinity.