downwellingn.
/ˌdaʊnˈwɛlɪŋ/, U.S. /ˌdaʊnˈwɛlɪŋ/ Chiefly Oceanography and Atmospheric Physics.
A process in which a region of a fluid (esp. seawater or air) increases in density and subsequently sinks; contrasted with upwelling n. 2. Also: an instance of this; a downward current formed by this process.Oceanic downwelling is often caused by the convergence of currents or an increase in the salinity of surface waters.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of flowing > [noun] > action or process of flowing > down
deflux1599
defluence1687
downwelling1953
1953 Trans. Amer. Geophysical Union 34 855 Those [convergences] associated with internal wave motion may not necessarily be accompanied by an actual downwelling of surface water.
1979 Nature 14 June 614/1 The downwelling in the polar region [of the Venusian atmosphere] must be explained in terms of a circulation mechanism which produces a poleward meridional flow.
1984 A. C. Duxbury & A. Duxbury Introd. World's Oceans xii. 389 Downwellings are regions of low plant growth.
2012 M. L. Salby Physics of Atmosphere & Climate i. 54 The Hadley circulation involves upwelling near the equator and downwelling at subtropical latitudes.
2014 Ecol. Monogr. 84 593/1 More research is necessary to address the strength and potential impacts of downwelling in the Gulf of Maine.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
downwellingadj.
/ˈdaʊnwɛlɪŋ/, /daʊnˈwɛlɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈdaʊnˌwɛlɪŋ/, /ˌdaʊnˈwɛlɪŋ/ 1. Of light, radiation, or sound: that propagates downwards.
ΚΠ
1955 Jrnl. Optical Soc. Amer. 45 904/1 Monochromatic measurements in situ have been made of radiance distribution,..reflectance, upwelling, and downwelling irradiance.
1982 Sci. Amer. Feb. 116 (caption) The guppy can..detect dark objects against the downwelling light, but the lower retina is not suitable for discriminating colors.
2014 A. F. Moene & J. C. van Dam Transport Atmosphere-Vegetation-Soil Continuum ii. 37 The atmospheric window is clearly visible in the downwelling radiation.
2. Chiefly Oceanography and Atmospheric Physics. Of a fluid (esp. seawater or air): that undergoes downwelling (downwelling n.).
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > downward motion > [adjective] > pouring down
downwelling1967
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of flowing > [adjective] > copiously or suddenly > downwards
downwelling1967
1967 Oceanogr. & Marine Biol. 5 61 Wyrtki (1960) considered the greater part of the downwelling water is made up of Subtropical Water.
1989 Jrnl. Atmospheric Sci. 46 417/1 The relative confinement of downwelling air leads to stronger meridional temperature gradients and vertical wind shears in the winter mesosphere.
1994 Continental Shelf Res. 14 1167 (abstract) The redistribution of this sediment by upwelling or downwelling currents is postulated to control the appearance of depositional current-ripples.
2012 E. K. Berner & R. A. Berner Global Environment i. 22 (caption) Both areas are denoted as sources of heat to the atmosphere as a result of cooling of the downwelling water.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1953adj.1955