Surface circulation and fronts of the South Pacific Ocean, east of 120°W
Résumé
The South Pacific surface circulation east of 120°W is studied, using satellite tracked drifters from 1979-2004. The major currents of this region are described such as the Antarctic Circumpolar, the South Pacific, the Chile-Peru and the Cape Horn Currents. We suggest the presence of a branch, exiting from the ACC between 100-120°W, and transporting subantarctic surface water toward lower latitudes. We also show the existence of an anticyclonic recirculation cell north of 35°S. Finally, based on hydrographic sections, we show that in the eastern South Pacific the core of the Subtropical front corresponds to the 14°C isotherm at 150 m depths and to the 2.7 m of dynamic height relative to 3000 m. The Subantarctic front is located by maximum temperature gradients in the range 3-8°C at 100-400 m depth.
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