Winds blowing across the ocean surface often push water away from an area. When this occurs, water rises up from beneath the surface to replace the diverging surface water. This process is known as upwelling.

What caused the upwelling to occur?

Upwelling is an oceanic process in which cold water from the deep rises toward the surface of the ocean. It is caused by strong winds and the rotation of the Earth which moves warmer surface waters offshore allowing the cold, nutrient rich water to rush up.

What is wind driven upwelling?

Upwelling is a phenomenon that brings cold, nutrient-rich deep water to the surface. In the Northern Hemisphere, upwelling occurs on west coasts when winds are blowing north to south. ... This means the water near the coast is being pushed west, away from the coast.