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Natural Phenomena

Upwelling

Ocean and Marine Phenomena

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An oceanographic process in which wind-driven surface currents push warm surface water away from a coastline, allowing colder, nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean to rise and take its place. The nutrients upwelling delivers to the sunlit surface layer fuel some of the ocean's most productive fisheries, including those off the coasts of Peru and California, and a weakening of upwelling during an El Nino event can collapse those fisheries for a season or more.

Cross-Tradition Connections

Demonstrated By

Seasonal wind driven upwelling brings nutrient rich deep water to the surface of Lake Tanganyika, sustaining the fisheries that shoreline communities depend on.

Neritic Zone, Biomes
Sources
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationDemonstrated By: Ross SeaView the Source
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationDemonstrated By: Gulf of CaliforniaView the Source
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.Demonstrated By: Lake TanganyikaView the Source
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