Benguela Current
Topic: Movements of Ocean Water: Waves, Tides and Currents · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 13 "Movements of Ocean Water"
Meaning
The Benguela Current is a cold ocean current that flows north along the south-west coast of Africa. It is part of the anticlockwise current loop of the South Atlantic. Winds push surface water away from this coast, so cold, nutrient-rich water rises from below. This is called upwelling. The cold water cools the air above it, so it rarely rains but fog is common. The nutrients feed plankton (tiny drifting plants and animals), which support rich fisheries.
Example
The Benguela Current makes the Namib Desert along the coast of Namibia a foggy coastal desert. Its upwelling supports big fisheries off Namibia and South Africa.
Don't confuse with
- Agulhas Current: it is a fast, warm current that flows south along the east coast of South Africa. The Benguela is cold, flows north, and runs along the west coast.
Related concepts
- Gulf Stream
- North Atlantic Drift
- Canary Current
- Sargasso Sea
- Labrador Current
- Brazil Current
- Falkland Current