Final answer:
The California Current is the cold water surface current located along the Pacific coast of the United States, flowing from British Columbia to the southern tip of Baja California.
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 water current that flows southward along the western coast of North America, beginning off the coast of British Columbia and extending to the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula. It is part of the North Pacific Gyre and is primarily driven by the earth's wind patterns and the rotation of the earth. The California Current results from the cooling winds from the north and the Coriolis effect, which influences the direction of the flow.
The California Current is a part of the larger North Pacific Gyre, which is a circulation pattern in the Pacific Ocean. It flows southward along the west coast of North America, from British Columbia in Canada to Baja California in Mexico.
The California Current is influenced by the upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean, which supports a diverse ecosystem and contributes to the coastal marine life in the region.