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- Title
A Census of Eddies in the Tropical Eastern Boundary of the Indian Ocean.
- Authors
Azis Ismail, M. F.; Ribbe, J.; Arifin, T.; Taofiqurohman, A.; Anggoro, D.
- Abstract
The Indo‐Australian Basin (IAB) constitutes a crucial water route for the global ocean's circulation between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Locally generated eddies contribute to the continued westward transport of water away from the IAB. In this paper, results from the first comprehensive regional ocean eddy census are discussed. A hybrid eddy census and tracking algorithm is used to analyze satellite altimetry data from 1993 to 2018. A total of 2,792 eddies were identified and tracked. Cyclonic eddies and anticyclonic eddies exhibit geographical segregation in terms of their dynamic characteristics. Larger amplitudes, radii, and absolute vorticities are associated with high eddy kinetic energy regions located in the vicinity of the South Java Current, South Equatorial Current, and Indonesian Throughflow. The eddies are grouped into three duration‐based classifications providing the first systematic insight into understanding their physical characteristics, formation, and distribution in the IAB. Plain Language Summary: The Indo‐Australian Basin (IAB) is one of the most important pathways for the exchange of water between the Pacific and Indian Oceans. In addition to ocean currents that move water westward, clockwise or anticlockwise rotating ocean eddies contribute to the transport from the IAB and toward the western Indian Ocean. The changing characteristics of these eddies are identified, quantified, and described in this paper. To do so, we use satellite data that reveal changes in sea surface height as an indicator for the presence of an eddy. The eddies are tracked from their genesis in the eastern IAB to their dissipation in the western Indian Ocean. In addition to the many small‐scale features discovered for the first time, we found that one eddy existed for over a year and traveled a distance of more than 3,000 km during this time. Key Points: Eddies identified and quantified in a new comprehensive census for the Indo‐Australian BasinNewly identified hotspots for eddy activity identified in the eastern basinMore than 41% of eddies detected than in previous surveys
- Subjects
INDIAN Ocean; EDDY currents (Electric); CYCLONES; KINETIC energy; AMPLITUDE estimation
- Publication
Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans, 2021, Vol 126, Issue 6, p1
- ISSN
2169-9275
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1029/2021JC017204