Contribution to study of the Peru Chile upwelling

The upwelling and associated alongshore coastal currents variability (CPCC, Chile Peru coastal Current and PCUC, Peru-Chile Undercurrent) has been studied with satellite data and two numerical models. This study covers a large meridional extend: from Peru to Southern Chile (50°S). Variability characteristics in Peru and Chile are separated by a transition zone around 20°S where winds, upwelling and the PCUC are particularly weak. The origins of upwelling and PCUC waters have also been studied from lagrangian diagnostics. Transports have been estimated. Three sources have been identified: the EUC (Equatorial Undercurrent) mainly feeds Peru, the SSCC (Southern Sub-Surface Counter Current) feeds both Peru and Chile regions and a third source, from the South of Chile, related to the ESPIW (Eastern South Pacific Intermediate Water) feeds the system in Chile