Coastal upwelling systems and Eastern boundary currents: A review of terminology

The use of terms such as Benguela Current or Peru Current System for different features of the oceanic circulation in the eastern parts of the oceans is reviewed. During 50 years of upwelling research these terms have been used for different oceanographic phenomena. It is argued that one reason for inconsistent use has been that names of currents were chosen on geographic rather than hydrodynamic principles, and that although knowledge of the dynamics of current systems expanded, it became increasingly difficult to modify the existing nomenclature accordingly. In order to provide a basis for a unified terminology, the dynamics of ocean currents in the eastern pans of the oceans are reviewed. It is argued that the coastal upwelling current system is a modification of the inshore part of the eastern boundary current and consequently should not be named as opposed to it but as part of it. It is suggested that the traditional geographic names be used for the eastern boundary currents and new names be assigned by international agreement to the coastal upwelling currents.