First results of Indian - Current meter moorings along The equator: Vertical current structure variability at equator, 93 degrees E during February-December, 2000

Abstract

The first results of time-series current data obtained from 6 levels at equator, 93 degrees E in the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean during February-December 2000 are analyzed. The top RCM was located at 135m. The mean currents at each depth are weak while the low pass filtered (49-hour) current data show considerable meso-scale variability, comprising of Intraseasonal Oscillations (ISO) of period 10-20 day and 40.5 day. The 10-20 day ISO is associated with similar variability in surface wind forcing while the 30-50 day ISO with Madden-Julian Oscillations. The energy spectrum at 280 m shows relatively higher energy than that at 135 m at 10-20 day ISO; while cross-spectra of kinetic energy at these depths reveal high coherence and upward phase propagation at 10-20 day ISO.