When prevailing winds blow from onshore to offshore, what generally happens?
A) The wind drives the water away from shore, forcing the water to descend in a downwelling zone.
B) The winds cause offshore surface water to flow away from shore, forcing deeper water to rise to the surface.
C) The dry conditions from the land evaporate surface waters, making them more dense due to salinity increase, and they sink.
D) The wind drives a longshore current, which draws cold air from higher latitudes, producing a cold climate.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When prevailing winds blow from onshore to offshore, they push the surface water away from shore, creating an offshore flow. This offshore flow causes a displacement of water, where deeper, colder water rises to the surface to replace the water that has moved offshore. This process is known as upwelling and is important for marine life as it brings nutrients and oxygen to the surface, and supports a productive ecosystem.

When Prevailing Winds Blow from Onshore to Offshore, What Generally