Dossier
upwelling
Coverage of upwelling in the Nexus archive.
- Every monsoon, thousands of seashells wash up on Karachi's shores. Here's why
Every June and July, thousands of seashells wash up on Karachi's beaches during the monsoon season. Marine experts attribute this to upwelling, where monsoon winds draw cold, oxygen-depleted water from the deep ocean, killing bottom-dwelling shellfish like clams. Fishermen confirm this recurring phenomenon, noting it has occurred for decades along Karachi's coastline.
- Panama’s ocean lifeline vanishes for the first time in 40 years
The Gulf of Panama experienced its first absence of seasonal upwelling in 40 years in 2025 due to unusually weak winds, leading to reduced ocean productivity and warmer coastal waters. Researchers attribute the disruption to potential vulnerabilities from climate change.