Analysis of Equatorial Currents Observed by Eastern Indian Ocean Cruises in 2010 and 2011

Hydrographic and direct current measurements were made in the Eastern Equatorial Indian Ocean in May 2010 and April 2011 as part of the Eastern Indian Ocean Cruises(EIOC) organized by the South China Sea Institute of Oceanology(SCSIO).Analyses of the shipdrift Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP) data indicate that the equatorial currents observed in May 2010 are characterized by a strongly eastward surface current(Wyrtki Jets,WJs) with a maximum velocity of 0.9 m s 1,while that observed in April 2011 is weak and without a consistent direction.The strongly eastward WJ transports the surface water eastward,resulting in a deeper upper mixed layer,as shown in the temperature and salinity profiles.However,it was found that the Equatorial Undercurrent(EUC) in the Eastern Indian Ocean is strong in April 2011 and weak in May 2010.The EUC was located approximately at the position of the thermocline,and it had higher salinity(up to approximately 35.5 psu) than the upper and lower waters.

Observations and Simulations of the Circulation and Mixing around the Andaman-Nicobar Submarine Ridge

Using data collected by an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler （ADCP） on a research cruise in April 2010 in the eastern Indian Ocean, the vertical cun＇ent structures surrounding the Andaman-Nicobar Submarine Ridge （ANSR） are analyzed to investigate the hydrographic responses to the topography in this region. The results show that the topography of ANSR can induce internal waves around the submarine ridge that have a maximum current velocity of 1 m s 1 The spatial struc- ture of the turbulent kinetic energy （TKE） and shear in this region during 2010 is investigated using the high-resolution Princeton Ocean Model （POM） forced by the satellite-based Advanced Scatterometer （ASCAT） winds including the tide, The results show that the model successfully simulates the internal waves around the ANSR. Numerical experiments further indicate that both the topography and tide play an important role in the gen- eration of the internal waves in this region.