Humboldt Current facts for kids
The Humboldt Current, also known as the Peru Current, is a cold ocean current that flows north along the west coast of South America. It starts near the southern tip of Chile and goes all the way to northern Peru. This current moves towards the equator and stretches about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) out into the ocean.
This huge ocean area is named after Alexander von Humboldt, a famous Prussian naturalist. The Humboldt Current is one of the world's most important natural systems for bringing food (nutrients) up from the deep ocean to the surface. This creates an amazing environment where tons of ocean life can thrive!
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Why the Humboldt Current is Special
The Humboldt Current is special because of something called upwelling. This is when cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean rises to the surface. This water is full of tiny food particles that are perfect for small ocean creatures.
- Off the coast of Peru, this upwelling happens all year round.
- Off the coast of Chile, it mostly happens during spring and summer.
This constant supply of food makes the Humboldt Current one of the most productive marine areas on Earth.
Amazing Ocean Life
Because of all the nutrients, the Humboldt Current supports a huge amount of ocean life.
- About 18-20% of the world's total fish catch comes from this area!
- Most of these fish are pelagic, meaning they live near the surface. Examples include sardines, anchovies, and jack mackerel.
- This rich environment also helps many other animals. You can find marine mammals like seals, whales, and dolphins here.
- Lots of seabirds also depend on the Humboldt Current for food.
Part of a Bigger System
The Humboldt Current is actually part of a much larger ocean system called the South Pacific Gyre. Think of a gyre as a giant, swirling system of ocean currents. The Humboldt Current plays a key role in this massive Pacific Ocean movement.
Images for kids
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The Humboldt Current helps stop tropical cyclones from forming in this area. (This map shows where tropical cyclones happened worldwide from 1945 to 2006.)
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La Silla Observatory is in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth. It might seem strange to see clouds there, but they are formed because of the Humboldt Current!
See also
In Spanish: Corriente de Humboldt para niños
