Humboldt Current

Humboldt Current

n.

A cold ocean current of the South Pacific, flowing north along the western coast of South America. Also called Peru Current.

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[After Baron Friedrich Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt.]

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Humboldt Current

n

(Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) a cold ocean current of the S Pacific, flowing north along the coasts of Chile and Peru Also called Peru Current

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Humboldt Current  (hmblt)

A cold ocean current of the South Pacific, flowing north along the western coast of South America from Chile to Peru. Extending up to 1,000 km (620 mi) offshore, the Humboldt Current results in significant cooling of the marine environment and influences the weather pattern that makes this section of coast one of the driest regions in the world. The current is also the world's largest upwelling current, bringing cold, nutrient-rich waters to the surface and creating an ecosystem abundant in plankton, fish, and other marine life. It is named after Baron Alexander von Humboldt, who explored this coast in 1802. Also called Peru current.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

Humboldt current - a cold ocean current that flows north along the Pacific Coast of South America before turning west Peruvian current ocean current - the steady flow of surface ocean water in a prevailing direction