Oceanic electric currents induced by fluid convection

In addition to the electric potentials induced by the gyral motions in the oceans, horizontal electric fields and currents result from the exchange of water between the depths and the surface in the presence of the main geomagnetic field. In this note a simple model representing such a circulation is considered, and the spatial distribution of the corresponding induced electric fields is calculated. A surface velocity of 2 knots could induce electric currents up to 10^?4 Amp/m². These steady currents in the ocean could be comparable with the normal oceanic daily variation. Since a proportion of the electric current would return through the earth below the sea floor, this calculation provides an upper limit to this component. An indication is also given of the magnetic field distortion and associated electric currents which occur in a highly conducting (Jovian) ocean.