Editorial Type:
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Article Type:
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Wind-Driven Cross-Equatorial Flow in the Indian Ocean

M. Dolores Pérez-Hernández Instituto Universitario de Oceanografía y Cambio Global, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

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Alonso Hernández-Guerra Instituto Universitario de Oceanografía y Cambio Global, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

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Terrence M. Joyce Department of Physical Oceanography, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts

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Pedro Vélez-Belchí Instituto Español de Oceanografia, General Gutiérrez 4, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

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Print Publication:
01 Dec 2012
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JPO-D-12-033.1
Page(s):
2234–2253
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Abstract

Meridional velocity, mass, and heat transport in the equatorial oceans are difficult to estimate because of the nonapplicability of the geostrophic balance. For this purpose a steady-state model is utilized in the equatorial Indian Ocean using NCEP wind stress and temperature and salinity data from the World Ocean Atlas 2005 (WOA05) and Argo. The results show a Somali Current flowing to the south during the winter monsoon carrying −11.5 ± 1.3 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) and −12.3 ± 0.3 Sv from WOA05 and Argo, respectively. In the summer monsoon the Somali Current reverses to the north transporting 16.8 ± 1.2 Sv and 19.8 ± 0.6 Sv in the WOA05 and Argo results. Transitional periods are considered together and in consequence, there is not a clear Somali Current present in this period. Model results fit with in situ measurements made around the region, although Argo data results are quite more realistic than WOA05 data results.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Terrence M. Joyce, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543. E-mail: tjoyce@whoi.edu

Abstract

Meridional velocity, mass, and heat transport in the equatorial oceans are difficult to estimate because of the nonapplicability of the geostrophic balance. For this purpose a steady-state model is utilized in the equatorial Indian Ocean using NCEP wind stress and temperature and salinity data from the World Ocean Atlas 2005 (WOA05) and Argo. The results show a Somali Current flowing to the south during the winter monsoon carrying −11.5 ± 1.3 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) and −12.3 ± 0.3 Sv from WOA05 and Argo, respectively. In the summer monsoon the Somali Current reverses to the north transporting 16.8 ± 1.2 Sv and 19.8 ± 0.6 Sv in the WOA05 and Argo results. Transitional periods are considered together and in consequence, there is not a clear Somali Current present in this period. Model results fit with in situ measurements made around the region, although Argo data results are quite more realistic than WOA05 data results.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Terrence M. Joyce, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543. E-mail: tjoyce@whoi.edu
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