Which of the following cold ocean currents flows northward along the western coast of South America, influencing arid conditions in the Atacama Desert?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Humboldt Current, also known as the Peru Current, is a cold eastern boundary ocean current flowing northward along the western coast of South America. It cools the adjacent coastal atmosphere, inhibits precipitation, and contributes significantly to the hyper-arid conditions of the Atacama Desert. Currents like the Benguela and Canary operate in the Atlantic Ocean basin. Ocean currents play a decisive role in shaping regional climates and marine ecosystems worldwide.