Comparison of Eddies off the North Brazilian and Somali Coasts

Abstract

Repeated temperature sections using XBTs from ships of opportunity along the sea lane off the Brazilian coast indicate that a region of mesoscale occurs in which the eddies are particularly well developed in northern summer and fall. These are located between approximately 3°–10°N, are on the order of 200 to 400 km across, and may extend to 300 to 400 m in depth. Relatively fresh surface water, apparently from the region of the Amazon outflow, is often observed in the eddy region. Similar eddies both in size and latitude, are found off the Somali coast. These are associated with the turning offshore of all or part of the strong northward flowing Somali current. It is speculated that a somewhat similar circulation may also occur in northern summer in the Pacific Ocean.