Final answer:
The Gulf Stream is the warm ocean current that travels northeast along the eastern coast of North America, affecting climate and marine ecosystems in the region.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ocean current that flows northeast along the eastern coast of North America is known as the Gulf Stream. This powerful, warm, and swift Atlantic Ocean current originates in the Gulf of Mexico, exits through the Strait of Florida, and follows the eastern coastlines of the United States and Newfoundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean. As it travels north, it carries warm water from the equator up towards the northern latitudes, influencing the climate of the eastern seaboard and Europe. The Gulf Stream is also integral to the Atlantic Wildway, navigating between the Canadian Maritime and the Everglades, and impacts the fishing industries across the Eastern N. America, from the Gulf of St. Lawrence to Florida.