Near-Equatorial Deep Circulation in the Indian and Pacific Oceans
Abstract
Flow of deep and bottom water in the near-equatorial Indian Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Pacific Ocean is described through analysis of CTD data. Zero velocity surfaces are chosen using water-mass properties in conjunction with the thermal-wind field and used to obtain transport estimates. In the Somali Basin a deep western boundary current with an estimated transport of 4,000,000 cu m/s moves north on the continental rise of Africa at 3 deg S. Equatorial observations suggest that this current turns eastward at the equator. In the Pacific Ocean at 10 deg N two deep western boundary currents with estimated mass transport of 5,000,000 cu m/s and 8,100,000 cu m/s move north off the Caroline and Marshall Islands respectively. A current with an estimated transport of 4,700,000 cu m/s moves south over the western flank of the East Pacific Rise. This current feeds a westward jet at the equator and brings the net northward transport of bottom water at 10 deg N to 8,400,000 cu m/s. Effects of ocean basin geometry, bottom bathymetry and vertical diffusivity as well as a model meridional inertial current on a sloping bottom near the equator are discussed in conjunction with the observational results.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA232635
Entities
People
- Gregory C. Johnson
Organizations
- Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution