Current, in the context of the horizontal movement of water, refers to the steady and continuous flow or stream of water in a prevailing direction in a body of water such as a river, ocean, or lake. This phenomenon is typically driven by forces such as wind, gravity (in the form of tides), temperature differences, and variations in water density, and can occur at various depths below the water's surface. Currents play a significant role in shaping the world's climate by transporting heat around the globe, influencing marine life habitats and migration patterns, and affecting human navigation routes.

1. Ocean Current: A significant example of a horizontal water movement would be ocean currents like the Gulf Stream that moves water from the Gulf of Mexico towards the North Atlantic, impacting climate and marine life. 2. River Current: This refers to the steady flow of water from the river's source to its mouth. The force of the current depends on the incline of the riverbed and the volume of water. 3. Tidal Current: They are caused by gravitational interactions between the Sun, Moon, and Earth, and they manifest primarily along coastal shorelines. An example could be The Bay of Fundy in Canada, known for having the highest tides in the world. 4. Coastal Current: A coastal current is a type of oceanic current that hugs close to the shoreline. The California Current in the USA is one example, it flows southwards along the western coast of North America. 5. Gyre: This is a large-scale circular feature made up of ocean currents. A prominent example is The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, a gyre of marine debris particles caused by the North Pacific Gyre.

Fun fact: The horizontal movement of water in both ocean and atmosphere is referred to as a "current." These are driven by various factors including the rotation of the Earth, prevailing winds, and differences in water temperature and salinity, creating intriguing and complex patterns across our planet's surface. For instance, the Gulf Stream, a powerful warm ocean current, starts in the Gulf of Mexico and flows into the Atlantic at the tip of Florida, accelerating along the eastern coastlines of the United States and Newfoundland. It eventually crosses the Atlantic and ends up in Western Europe. This current is the reason why Western Europe has generally milder winters than areas at comparable latitudes in North America. Fascinating isn't it? The power of horizontal water movement influences global climatic conditions and also potential migratory paths of marine species.