A band of weak eastward flow in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans embedded in the South Equatorial Current near 8°S, caused by a wind stress minimum in the Southern Hemisphere trade winds. In the Pacific Ocean the SECC is controlled by the Asian–Australian monsoon and is strongest during the northwest monsoon (December–April), with speeds approaching 0. 3 m s⁻¹; it is barely seen during the remainder of the year. East of the date line it decreases rapidly in strength and is absent from the eastern Pacific during most of the year. In the Atlantic Ocean it is weak, narrow, and variable and has its largest speed of little more than 0. 1 m s⁻¹ often below the surface at a depth of 100 m.