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Somali Current rings in the eastern Gulf of Aden
- Source :
- Journal of Geophysical Research. 111
- Publication Year :
- 2006
- Publisher :
- American Geophysical Union (AGU), 2006.
-
Abstract
- [1] New satellite-based observations reveal that westward translating anticyclonic rings are generated as a portion of the Somali Current accelerates northward through the Socotra Passage near the mouth of the Gulf of Aden. Rings thus formed exhibit azimuthal geostrophic velocities exceeding 50 cm/s, are comparable in overall diameter to the width of the Gulf of Aden (250 km), and translate westward into the gulf at 5-8 cm/s. Ring generation is most notable in satellite ocean color imagery in November immediately following the transition between southwest (boreal summer) and northeast (winter) monsoon regimes. The observed rings contain anomalous fluid within their core which reflects their origin in the equator-crossing Somali Current system. Estimates of Socotra Passage flow variability derived from satellite altimetry provide evidence for a similar ring generation process in May following the winter-to-summer monsoon transition. Cyclonic recirculation eddies are observed to spin up on the eastern flank of newly formed rings with the resulting vortex pair translating westward together. Recent shipboard and Lagrangian observations indicate that vortices of both sign have substantial vertical extent and may dominate the lateral circulation at all depths in the eastern Gulf of Aden.
- Subjects :
- Atmospheric Science
Ecology
Paleontology
Soil Science
Forestry
Aquatic Science
Oceanography
Monsoon
Vortex
Geophysics
Eddy
Space and Planetary Science
Geochemistry and Petrology
Anticyclone
Ocean color
Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
Altimeter
Ring current
Geostrophic wind
Geology
Earth-Surface Processes
Water Science and Technology
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 01480227
- Volume :
- 111
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Geophysical Research
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........8d21802676ac15996325328e01061b17
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1029/2005jc003338