Kuril Current

(Oyashio), a cold current in the northeastern Pacific, flowing from north to south along the eastern coast of the Kuril Islands and Hokkaido. The average temperature ranges from 0° to 2°C in February and from 8° to 13°C in August. At 40° N lat., where it meets the Kuroshio Current, there is intensive mixing and submersion of surface waters, giving rise to the North Pacific Current.