Our coast has some special features due to the oceanic formation, influenced by superficial oceanic flows (like the one of the gulf) which heat the waters of this side of the Atlantic Ocean while in the cold waters, coming from the Artic, they move through the bottom of the sea determining the oceanic climatological characteristics which alongside the “emergence” phenomenon, rise of deep water rich in nutrients, results in a life explosion which causes high biodiversity.
With this “emergence” we are refering to the most important and crucial phenomenon of the galician west coast coming from the influence of wind and flows.
A change in the direction of the movement and strong nothern winds during spring and summer make this superficial water be pushed to the east, out of the islands. The space left by this water is occupied by cold water ascending from deep zones and this is why this water is colder in summer and is biologically rich.
These nutrients get to the surface when the temperature is high and there´s a lot of light. These are the appropiate conditions for the growth of micro-algae which offer nutrients with photosynthesis, being essential for the food chain. So, in these waters phytoplankton is multiplied and it constitutes excellent food for sea species which originate rich marine flora and fauna which live in Rías baixas. So, the richness of the insular water is based in a process of emergence.
