Cold water flowing southward through the western part of the Bering Strait between Alaska and Siberia is joined by water circulating counterclockwise in the Bering Sea to form the __________.

Correct Answer: Option C — Oyashio Current

Cold water flowing southward through the western Bering Strait merges with cyclonic, counterclockwise sub-arctic circulation in the Bering Sea to establish the Oyashio Current. This cold current significantly impacts visibility, ice formation, and fishing operations in North Pacific and Bering Sea operational sectors.