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Reversing bottom circulation in the Somali Basin
Author(s) -
Beal Lisa M.,
Molinari Robert L.,
Chereskin Teresa K.,
Robbins Paul E.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1999gl011316
Subject(s) - geology , hydrography , barotropic fluid , anticyclone , boundary current , somali , oceanography , circulation (fluid dynamics) , rossby wave , structural basin , climatology , monsoon , hydrographic survey , abyssal zone , ocean current , geomorphology , linguistics , philosophy , physics , thermodynamics
Two sets of direct velocity measurements were taken, concurrent with hydrographic data, in the bottom waters of the northern Somali Basin in June and September, 1995. The velocities indicate a temporal flow reversal in the bottom circulation, which is consistent with the changing density structure between the sections. In June, there is evidence of a southward Deep Western Boundary Current with a transport of 5 Sv. By September, flow close to the boundary is northward, with a transport of 2.6 Sv. Furthermore, the deep density gradient across the interior of the Somali Basin also changes between occupations, implying a cyclonic circulation in June and anticyclonic flow in September. Rossby wave activity is high in this region during the southwest monsoon, yet there is also evidence of a strong barotropic component to the Great Whirl in September, which may cause the reversal in the abyssal circulation.