Watermass structure and current system in the equatorial western Indian Ocean during August, 1985

Abstract

During the 17th cruise of ORV Sagar Kanya (3rd to 21st August, 1985), two meridional sections were occupied between 4 degrees N and 6 degrees n S in the equatorial Western Indian Ocean. The Dynamic Method was employed to derive geostrophic currents. At the equator, currents were computed using Montgomery's method. Westerly flows near Equator and easterly flows on either side of the equator are deduced. The presence of the Arabian Sea surface water, the Red Sea water, and Pacific low salinity water is noticed along these two sections. The watermass structure and geostrophic currents in the upper 500 m water column of the equatorial Western Indian Ocean during August, 1985 was studied