Determination of the impact of coastal wind variability and associated pressure gradients in the Humboldt Current System off Chile.

Determination of the impact of coastal wind variability and associated

pressure gradients (mid-latitude frontal disturbances, coastal lows
and other atmospheric waves) on the temporal and spatial distribution
of upwelling events in the Humbolct Current System off Chile.

Wind driven coastal upwelling is a prevalent phenomenom in the HCS off
Chile. Equatorward winds along the coast not only induce the
classical net offshore surface Ekman transport but they also promote
active mixing in the surface layer. Wind stress differentials along
the coast force shelf waves that may interact with remotely-forced
coastal-trapped waves (CTW) traveling poleward along the coast while
wind-stress differentials in a cross-shore direction can enhance
upwelling through cyclonic wind-stress curl. The upwelling band off
Chile is exceptionally narrow compared with other eastern boundary
current systems, possibly under the influence of the offshore
circulation regime. Upwelling is intensified around capes protruding
to the west, and usally involve water from the poleward undercurrent.