What phenomenon occurs after strong winds push surface waters offshore, leading to clearer and cooler water conditions?

The phenomenon described occurs when strong winds push surface waters away from the coast, allowing deeper, cooler, and often nutrient-rich water to rise to the surface. This process is known as upwelling.

In coastal areas, when winds blow parallel to the shore and push surface water seaward, it creates a vacuum effect that prompts water from the depths to rise and fill that gap. The rising water is typically cooler than the surface water that has been displaced, and it can bring a significant amount of nutrients with it, which can lead to increased biological productivity in the area, such as phytoplankton blooms. This is critical for marine ecosystems and fisheries.

In contrast, downwelling occurs when water is pushed down by forces such as wind or currents, leading to a build-up of surface water that sinks. Extreme tides and longshore currents describe different coastal dynamics unrelated to the upward movement of deeper water.