Skip to main content

IMIS

[ report an error in this record ]basket (0): add | show Print this page

Surface drift in the south-east Atlantic Ocean
Wedepohl, P.M.; Lutjeharms, J.R.E.; Meeuwis, J.M. (2000). Surface drift in the south-east Atlantic Ocean. S. Afr. J. Mar. Sci./S.-Afr. Tydskr. Seewet. 22: 71-79
In: South African Journal of Marine Science = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif vir Seewetenskap. Marine & Coastal Management: Cape Town. ISSN 0257-7615, more
Peer reviewed article  

Keywords
    Circulation
    Energy
    ISW, Agulhas Current
    PSW, Agulhas Current
    Variability
    Agulhas Current [Marine Regions]; Agulhas Current [Marine Regions]
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Wedepohl, P.M.
  • Lutjeharms, J.R.E.
  • Meeuwis, J.M.

Abstract
    Surface drift in the South-East Atlantic Ocean is described using historical shipdrift data. The Benguela Current has a width of 200 km in the south and 750 km in the north. The mean speeds of the current vary from < 11 cm.s-1 to a maximum of 23 cm.s-1. The highest current speeds occur during summer in the southern regions and during winter in the northern regions, and this seasonality corresponds well with seasonal wind speeds. Eddy kinetic energy is enhanced in the Subtropical Convergence zone and is highest in the general vicinity of the Agulhas Current retroflection. The Subtropical Convergence is evident as a line where northward Ekman drift terminates.

All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy Top | Authors