Which of the following ocean currents is a cold boundary current flowing northward along the western coast of South America, significantly influencing the arid climate of the Atacama Desert?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Peru Current, also known as the Humboldt Current, is a cold, low-salinity ocean current that flows north-westward along the west coast of South America. By cooling the overlying air, it inhibits significant convective precipitation, contributing to the extreme aridity of the Atacama Desert. The Benguela Current similarly flows along the southwestern coast of Africa.