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Detailed Reference Information |
Potemra, J.T., Sprintall, J., Hautala, S.L. and Pandoe, W. (2003). Observed estimates of convergence in the Savu Sea, Indonesia. Journal of Geophysical Research 108: doi: 10.1029/2002JC001507. issn: 0148-0227. |
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The Indonesian seas are known to be a region where various Pacific and Indian Ocean water masses converge and are transformed into uniquely characterized Indonesian Sea Water (ISW). The volume of Pacific surface waters that are stored in the Indonesian seas and the timescales for this volume to change are important factors in the formulation of ISW that ultimately enters the Indian Ocean as the Indonesian throughflow (ITF). In this study, data from a recent deployment of pressure gauges surrounding the Savu Sea are used to estimate volume, heat, and freshwater convergence within approximately the upper 100 m. A pair of gauges on the northeastern side (North Ombai and South Ombai) is used to estimate inflow from the Banda Sea through the Ombai Strait, and two pairs (Sumbawa/North Sumba and South Sumba/Roti) are used to estimate outflow to the Indian Ocean via the Sumba and Savu/Dao Straits. The data are used in conjunction with numerical model results to show that at times, for example, November and December of 1996, there can be up to a 10 Sv imbalance between the inflow and the outflow transport. Most of the variability in estimated convergence occurs intraseasonally and seems to be controlled by the flow through the Sumba Strait on the eastern side of the sea. The annual cycle of convergence is smaller and ranges from 4 Sv in December through February to -2 Sv (divergence) in August through October. Lower-frequency variations based on model results are consistent with satellite derived sea level and sea surface temperatures in the Savu Sea and show that during recent El Ni¿o-Southern Oscillation events there is anomalous heat divergence (convergence) in the Savu Sea during El Ni¿os (La Ni¿as). |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Oceanography, Physical, General circulation, Oceanography, Physical, Upper ocean processes, Oceanography, General, Upwelling and convergences |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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