Final answer:
The cold surface-ocean current along the Pacific coast of the U.S. is the California Current. It flows southward and contributes to the region's climate and rich marine life through upwelling of nutrient-rich waters.
Step-by-step explanation:
The surface-ocean current located along the Pacific coast of the United States is known as the California Current. This current is a cold current that flows southward along the western coastline of North America, from southern British Columbia to Baja California. The California Current is part of the North Pacific Gyre and is a significant factor in the climate and ecology of the Pacific coast. It helps moderate the coastal temperatures and is associated with coastal upwelling, which brings nutrient-rich deeper waters to the surface, supporting a diverse marine ecosystem.
Within the broader context of the Pacific Ocean, the California Current interacts with various other oceanic processes. For instance, during an El Niño event, which is a warm ocean current off the west coast of South America, the typical weather patterns can be significantly altered, affecting many regions around the world with extreme weather.