Intrusions of sub-Antarctic water across the Subtropical Convergence south of Africa

• Main Authors: Lutjeharms, J R E, Fillis, C
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2003
• Subjects: Intrusions (Geology); Convergence (Meteorology); Antarctic; Antarc*; South Atlantic Ocean
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/27230; https://open.uct.ac.za/bitstream/11427/27230/1/Lutjeharms_Article_2003.pdf

The contents of the Cape Basin of the South Atlantic Ocean, southwest of Cape Town, is a melange of water types from a number of different sources. One of the least studied of these water types comes from intrusions of sub-Antarctic water that are associated with the spawning of Agulhas rings. An analysis of a variety of data on the region shows that these intrusions originate along a latitude of 40°S, but only between longitudes of 8° and 22°E. In extreme cases they can extend equatorward beyond the southern tip of Africa. Intrusions take place at least five times per year. Their distinct surface expressions are shown to be but outcrops of water masses that usually are found at greater depths. These vertical perturbations may extend to depths exceeding 1500 m.