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What is desiccating effect of ocean currents?

edited March 2014 in Miscellaneous
Hi
GCL mentions that the desiccating effect of the Peruvian current is partly responsible for the severe aridity of Atacama Desert.
Can somebody please explain this?

Comments

  • Peru current is warm current passing through eastern coast of s america. The on shore winds from pacific to atacama pass through warm currents resulting in reduced relative humidity. This is also the reason that western margins of the continents in 30-35 latitudes are dry..
  • Peru current is warm current passing through eastern coast of s america. The on shore winds from pacific to atacama pass through warm currents resulting in reduced relative humidity. This is also the reason that western margins of the continents in 30-35 latitudes are dry..
    slight modification: peru is a cold current which causes the moisture present in the atmosphere to precipitate and there by reducing the relative humidity on the coastal regions of peru (but still they have more than 90% humidity). This effect combined with the off-shore winds are the reason for deserted coastal zones.

    PS: Asked in mains 2013
  • But GCL and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humboldt_Current mention that it is actually a cold current.
  • @Jamz Thanks. Let me know if what I'm saying is correct - cold current leads to condensation of moisture in on-shore winds and then precipitation takes places off-the-coast and so less moisture available over land.
  • @Jamz Thanks. Let me know if what I'm saying is correct - cold current leads to condensation of moisture in on-shore winds and then precipitation takes places off-the-coast and so less moisture available over land.
    correct as far as I know. Also the excessive upwelling near the atacama desert makes the current supercold thereby have extremely high desiccating effect leading to the driest place on the earth
  • Peru current is warm current passing through eastern coast of s america. The on shore winds from pacific to atacama pass through warm currents resulting in reduced relative humidity. This is also the reason that western margins of the continents in 30-35 latitudes are dry..
    slight modification: peru is a cold current which causes the moisture present in the atmosphere to precipitate and there by reducing the relative humidity on the coastal regions of peru (but still they have more than 90% humidity). This effect combined with the off-shore winds are the reason for deserted coastal zones.

    PS: Asked in mains 2013
    Thnx...thats why i was wondering how moisture would reduce by passing through warm current... :-S
  • A simple rule : generally, currents flowing towards the equator are cold currents and those moving away from it are warm currents(extremely elementary but still.). If you keep this in mind along with the world map, you will never confuse any cold current with a warm current.

    Another rule : Sinking cold air prevents rains and rising warm air causes rains.

    The doubt has been explained above so won't repeat it. :)>-
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