Humboldtstrømmen

The Humboldtstrømmen, also known as the Humboldt Current or the Peru-Chile Current, is a cold, nutrient-rich surface current along the western coast of South America. It flows northward from southern Chile to northern Peru and Ecuador as part of the eastern boundary current system of the South Pacific.

Physically, the current is driven by the southeast trade winds and the regional oceanic gyres. Along the coast, strong coastal upwelling brings deep, nutrient-rich waters to the surface, supporting high biological productivity. The surface waters are relatively cool, and the system is associated with relatively low salinity in some zones due to rainfall and freshwater inputs inland.

Ecologically and economically, the Humboldt Current sustains one of the world’s most productive marine ecosystems. Upwelling fuels abundant phytoplankton, which supports large populations of fish, seabirds, and other marine life. The anchoveta fishery, in particular, has been historically central to regional economies. Stock levels are highly sensitive to El Niño–Southern Oscillation events: El Niño typically weakens upwelling and reduces productivity, while La Niña often enhances it.

The current also influences regional climate by cooling coastal air and contributing to aridity along parts of the Chilean and Peruvian coast. It was named for Alexander von Humboldt, who described the broad oceanographic conditions in the 19th century. In modern discussions, it is frequently referred to as the Peru-Chile Current, reflecting its geographic extent and significance.