How do deserts form at the edges of cold ocean currents?
Quick Answer
Cold currents cool the air above them, reducing evaporation and cloud growth inland. The result can be very dry coastal deserts such as the Atacama or Namib.
The Full Story
Some of the driest places on Earth lie next to cold ocean currents rather than in the middle of continents. Cold water suppresses evaporation, so the air above it contains less moisture to turn into rain. Stable, cool air also tends to resist upward motion, which limits cloud development and rainfall. As winds carry that dry air over land, the climate can stay extremely arid for long distances. The Atacama Desert along the Humboldt Current and the Namib Desert along the Benguela Current are major examples.
Key Facts
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