Answer: Wind blowing parallel to the shore causes upwelling of cool water. Thermohaline circulation is mainly due to winds causing circulation of ocean water warmer, less dense water sinking in the ocean and cold water replacing it.
Which event causes upwelling?
Upwelling is a process in which currents bring deep, cold water to the surface of the ocean. Upwelling is a result of winds and the rotation of the Earth . The wind patterns generated during slow-moving cyclones can also blow surface water aside, causing upwelling directly beneath the eye of the cyclone.
Where can you find upwelling areas in the world?
Worldwide, there are five major coastal currents associated with upwelling areas: the Canary Current (off Northwest Africa) , the Benguela Current (off southern Africa), the California Current (off California and Oregon), the Humboldt Current (off Peru and Chile), and the Somali Current (off Somalia and Oman).
Why does upwelling occur along the west coast of South America?
Winds traveling north cause upwelling along the west coast of South America. The water that is moved up to the surface is usually cold and rich in nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which come from the decomposing bodies of dead sea creatures.
What type of desert is associated with upwelling ocean currents?
Coastal deserts
They are affected by cold ocean currents that parallel the coast. Because local wind systems dominate the trade winds, these deserts are less stable than other deserts. Winter fogs, produced by upwelling cold currents, frequently blanket coastal deserts and block solar radiation.
Where is upwelling most likely to occur?
Upwelling is most common along the west coast of continents (eastern sides of ocean basins). In the Northern Hemisphere, upwelling occurs along west coasts (e.g., coasts of California, Northwest Africa) when winds blow from the north (causing Ekman transport of surface water away from the shore).
Where does upwelling and downwelling occur?
Upwelling occurs in the open ocean and along coastlines . The reverse process, called downwelling, also occurs when wind causes surface water to build up along a coastline.
What is the relationship between phytoplankton and upwelling?
The deeper water that rises to the surface during upwelling is rich in nutrients . These nutrients “fertilize” surface waters, encouraging the growth of plant life, including phytoplankton.
What would happen if upwelling stopped?
What might happen to fisheries if upwelling stopped? Fish population would die or lessen . How is the direction of a surface current affected? ... It carries warm water to colder water creating a convection current.
Does El Nino cause upwelling?
El Niño also has a strong effect on marine life off the Pacific coast. During normal conditions, upwelling brings water from the depths to the surface; this water is cold and nutrient rich. During El Niño, upwelling weakens or stops altogether .
How does upwelling affect fishing in the area?
Because the deep water brought to the surface is often rich in nutrients, coastal upwelling supports the growth of seaweed and plankton. ... The reduction in nutrient-rich water leads to a lower fish population in the area, and therefore to a smaller fish crop.
What causes the Ekman spiral?
When surface water molecules move by the force of the wind , they, in turn, drag deeper layers of water molecules below them. ... As a result, each successively deeper layer of water moves more slowly to the right or left, creating a spiral effect.
Which statement explains what upwelling causes?
Which statement explains what upwelling causes? Upwelling causes nutrients, minerals, and tiny organisms to rise .
How is the ocean’s food chain influenced by upwelling?
Effects of Upwelling. ... First, upwelling brings up cold, nutrient-rich waters to the surface, which encourage seaweed growth and support blooms of phytoplankton . The phytoplankton blooms form the ultimate energy base for large animal populations higher in the food chain, including fish, marine mammals and seabirds.
How do upwelling and downwelling affect ocean life?
Currents also are a major factor in ocean ecosystems. Two types of current motion, upwelling and downwelling, strongly influence the distribution and abundance of marine life . ... When currents upwell, or flow up to the surface from beneath, they sweep vital nutrients back to where they’re needed most.
How does upwelling affect weather?
Again, deeper water comes to the surface bringing with it nutrients and cooler water temperatures . In some places, upwelling can even affect the weather. In places such as San Francisco, the cool water temperatures brought by upwelling can cause air temperatures to drop and result in even more dense fog.
