First dedicated hydrographic survey of the Comoros Basin

Abstract

The Comoros Basin, a region of eddies that propagate into the Mozambique Channel and subsequently the Agulhas Current, has not been well studied. This paper presents the findings from the first dedicated research cruise in the basin. ADCP data collected during the cruise show that the circulation in the Comoros Basin is dominated by the strong westward flowing North East Madagascar Current, which bifurcates twice: Once upon encountering the Davie Ridge and again upon reaching the East African coast. One of the branches flows southward along the African coastline and appears to continue into the Mozambique Channel while the other branch turns northward to become the East African Coastal Current. The ADCP data also show evidence of a cyclonic eddy along the northwest coast of Madagascar. Water mass analysis indicates that all the major Indian Ocean water masses are present in the Comoros Basin. Surprisingly, North Atlantic Deep Water, a water mass previously assumed to only occur south of ˜16°S in the Mozambique Channel, was found to be present in the basin at depths below 2000 m. Antarctic Intermediate Water is found to enter the basin via two routes; from the west within the North East Madagascar Current and from the south within the northward flowing Mozambique Undercurrent.