Natural History Wanderings

Smithsonian Tropical Research InstituteNews Release

The natural phenomenon of upwelling, which occurs annually in the Gulf of Panama, failed for the first time on record in 2025. A study led by scientists from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) indicates that the weakening of the trade winds was the cause of this event. This finding highlights the climate’s impact on fundamental oceanic processes and the coastal communities that depend on them

Read on Upwelling Failure | Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute