Why is the Humboldt Current so cold?
The water then mixes with the warm waters at the equator, which marks the end of the Humboldt Current. The current is usually cold, except during El Nino events. Due to its cold nature, the currents leads to the formation of fog along the coastal regions of Peru, Chile, and Ecuador.
How does the Humboldt Mountains affect the climate?
The Humboldt has a considerable cooling influence on the climate of Chile, Peru and Ecuador. It is also largely responsible for the aridity of Atacama Desert in northern Chile and coastal areas of Peru and also of the aridity of southern Ecuador.
What type of ecosystem is the Humboldt Current?
The Humboldt Current is considered a Class I, highly productive (>300 gC/m 2 /yr) ecosystem. The current hosts a wide range of organisms including multiple species of plankton, mollusks, sea urchins, crustaceans, fish, and marine mammals. The food web starts with the phytoplankton.
How did the Humboldt Current get its name?
The Humboldt Current is named after the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt. In 1846, von Humboldt reported measurements of the cold-water current in his book Cosmos.
How does the Humboldt Current affect temperature?
The impact of the Humboldt Current on seasons in Galapagos When the current is at its strongest, between May and December, it brings cool air to the islands making air and sea surface temperatures unusually mild for a tropical island.
Why is the Peru Current cold?
ORIGINATING IN THE frigid waters offthe coast of Antarctica, the Peruvian Current moves north along the western coast of South America. When in reaches the continental shelf along South America, the current rises, carrying cold water with it to the surface of the Pacific Ocean.
Where does Humboldt Current bring cold water from?
The Humboldt Current is a cold water ocean current that flows north from Antarctica along the west coast of South America, bringing nutrient rich water to the Galapagos Islands and helping to sustain the islands rich biodiversity.
How fast is the Humboldt Current?
10 knotsAbout 20 percent of the world's catches are extracted from the Humboldt Current. The surfacing of cold water and its equatorward flow (at an average speed of 10 knots [11.5 miles, 18.5 kilometers) per hour is caused by wind shear against the coast.
Is it winter in Peru right now?
Peru has two seasons owing to its proximity to the equator. These are not traditionally known as summer and winter, but as the rainy/wet season ('summer') which runs from December to March, and the dry season ('winter') which runs from May to September.
Why is Lima Peru cold?
The cold Humboldt Current which runs along most of the Peruvian and Chilean coast moderates the heat of the tropical sun, but produces high humidity with clouds and mist. The Andes Mountains to the east of the city prevent the tropical climate, including storms and rains from the Amazon basin reaching the coast.
What is the coldest month in Peru?
The cold season lasts for 3.3 months, from December 4 to March 13, with an average daily high temperature below 37°F. The coldest month of the year in Peru is January, with an average low of 12°F and high of 27°F.
What is the temperature of the Peru Current?
Current Conditions in Lima61°F / 16°CFeels like 60.80°F / 16°CWind:Southeast at 10 mph / 17 km/hHumidity:83%Pressure:30 inches / 1016 mb3 more rows
Why is the Humboldt Current important?
The Humboldt Current is important for the wildlife of western South America. The Humboldt Current is an ocean current that flows northwards along the western coastline of South America and into the Southeast Pacific Ocean. The cold, low salinity ocean current is also referred to as the Peru Current. The current is an eastern boundary current which ...
How much water does the Humboldt current carry?
The currents carry approximately 350 million–700 million cubic feet of water per second. This amount of water is considered little compared to most currents.
How does Humboldt Current affect the ocean?
The Humboldt Current has been recognized as the most useful eastern boundary current system. The currents affect both people and marine life. First, upwelling caused by these currents brings nutrients to the water surface. These nutrients are usually instrumental in the growth of phytoplankton, which is the primary source of food for most of the animals in the marine ecosystem. Secondly, these currents have been very useful in the fishing industry in South America. The current results to approximately 19% of the total marine fish caught worldwide. Some of the species commonly caught due to the blowing of the currents include sardines, jack mackerel, anchovies, and pelagic. Finally, these currents have a major influence on some of the South American countries. For instance, the cool breeze and the cool effects experienced in Ecuador, Peru, and Chile are attributed to the currents. Furthermore, the arid climate experienced in the Peruvian coastline, and the Atacama Desert in Chile, are as a result of the Humboldt Current.
Which current is the largest in the world?
This amount of water is considered little compared to most currents. However, Humboldt Current is one of the largest water currents in the world as it carries water for longer distances. The current flows northwards from the South Pacific Ocean, carrying waters for thousands of kilometers.
What species are caught by the currents?
Some of the species commonly caught due to the blowing of the currents include sardines, jack mackerel, anchovies, and pelagic. Finally, these currents have a major influence on some of the South American countries. For instance, the cool breeze and the cool effects experienced in Ecuador, Peru, and Chile are attributed to the currents. ...
What are ocean currents?
Ocean currents are the continuous, predictable, directional movement of seawater driven by gravity, wind and water density.
Types of ocean currents
Ocean currents can be categorised (i) on the basis of depth; (ii) on the basis of temperature.
On the basis of depth
Ocean currents are of two types: Surface currents and Deep-water currents.
Features of The Humboldt Current
Effects of The Humboldt Current
- The Humboldt Current has been recognized as the most useful eastern boundary current system. The currents affect both people and marine life. First, upwelling caused by these currents brings nutrients to the water surface. These nutrients are usually instrumental in the growth of phytoplankton, which is the primary source of food for most of the animals in the marine ecosys…
Influence of El Nino on The Humboldt Current
- The productivity of the Humboldt Current is directly influenced by the El Nino. When El Nino occurs, the upper regions of the oxygen minimum zone (where oxygen saturation is lowest) and thermocline deepens to over 600 meters. At this point, nitrogen is lost and export of carbon also decreases. The velocity of the poleward current also increases during El Nino events. The overal…