Mozambique Current

The Mozambique Current is an ocean current in the Indian Ocean, usually defined as warm surface waters flowing south along the African east coast in the Mozambique Channel, between Mozambique and the island of Madagascar.

The classical definition of the Mozambique Current is that it is a strong, steady, western boundary current. Modern research has challenged that assumption, and indicates that rather than a strong western boundary current, there are often a series of large anti-cyclonic eddies in the channel. Direct evidence for these eddies has been found in satellite altimetry data ^[1] , ship borne surveys ^[2] , and moored current meter records ^[3]. These same current meter records, that were over two years in length, failed to show a strong, consistent current along the Mozambican coast, largely dispelling the notion of a steady Mozambique Current. Nonetheless, it is impossible to rule out the possibility that the Mozambique Current may appear intermittently, for short durations. Indeed, numerical model simulations in the Mozambique Channel show the appearance of a current on the Mozambican Coast, during periods between eddies.

Mozambique Channel Eddies

Mozambique Channel Eddies are large, warm, anti-cyclonic eddies that propagate southwards in the Mozambique Channel. These eddies may have diameters of up to 300 km, and maximum swirl velocities of nearly 1 m/s ^[2]. The exact causal mechanism, and location of the eddies formation is still debated. The frequency of eddy occurrence reduces from around seven per year in the north of the Channel, to around four per year in the south ^[1]. Once the eddies exit the Mozambique Channel, they contribute to the variability of the Agulhas Current, including the generation of the Natal Pulse, and Agulhas Rings ^[4].

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Schouten, M., W. de Ruijter, P. van Leeuwen, and R. Ridderinkhof (2003), Eddies and variability in the Mozambique Channel. Deep-Sea Res. II,50, 1987-2003.
2. ^ ^{a b} De Ruijter, W. P. M., H. Ridderinkhof, J. R. E. Lutjeharms, M. Schouten, and C. Veth (2002), Observations of flow in the Mozambique Channel, Geophys. Res. Lett., 29, 1401-1403
3. ^ Ridderingkhof, H., and W. de Ruijter (2003), Moored current observations in the Mozambique Channel, Deep-Sea Res. II, 50, 1933-1955.
4. ^ Schouten, M., W. de Ruijter, P. van Leeuwen, and H. Dijkstra (2002), An oceanic teleconnection between the equatorial and southern Indian Ocean, Geophys. Res. Lett., 29, 1812, doi: 10.1029/2001GL014542.

See also

• Ocean current
• Indian Ocean
• Mozambique
• Madagascar

External references

• New Concepts on the Flow in the Mozambique Channel
• Mozambique Channel Drogue Study
• Delagoa Bay Drifter Study
• Satellite Observations of the Agulhas Current System

This article about a specific ocean current is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Marine geography stubs Ocean currents Mozambique Channel Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая? Langtoft List of Strange Days at Blake Holsey High episodes Look at other dictionaries: Mozambique Current — ▪ ocean current       relatively warm surface current of the western Indian Ocean. The southeast trade winds move the Indian South Equatorial Current toward the east coast of Africa, off which, because of the Earth s rotation, it is directed… …   Universalium Mozambique Current. — See Agulhas Current. * * * …   Universalium Mozambique Current. — See Agulhas Current …   Useful english dictionary Mozambique Channel — a channel in SE Africa, between Mozambique and Madagascar. 950 mi. (1530 km) long; 250 550 mi. (400 885 km) wide. * * * Strait, western Indian Ocean. Located between Madagascar and Mozambique, it is about 950 mi (1,530 km) long, 250–625 mi (400–1 …   Universalium Mozambique national football team — Mozambique Nickname(s) The Black Mambas Association Mozambique Football Federation Sub confederation COSAFA (Southern Africa) Confederation …   Wikipedia Mozambique at the Commonwealth Games — Mozambique  at the Commonwealth Games : Flag of Mozambique CGF Code = MOZ …   Wikipedia Mozambique — /moh zam beek , zeuhm /, n. 1. Formerly, Portuguese East Africa. a republic in SE Africa: formerly an overseas province of Portugal; gained independence in 1975. 18,165,476; 297,731 sq. mi. (771,123 sq. km). Cap.: Maputo. 2. a seaport on an… …   Universalium Mozambique (Portugal) — State of East Africa[1] Overseas Province of Mozambique Província Ultramarina de Moçambique Colony; Overseas territory; State …   Wikipedia Mozambique — <p></p> <p></p> Introduction ::Mozambique <p></p> Background: <p></p> Almost five centuries as a Portuguese colony came to a close with independence in 1975. Large scale emigration, economic… …   The World Factbook Mozambique Channel — Location of Mozambique Channel The Mozambique Channel is a portion of the Indian Ocean located between the island nation of Madagascar and southeast Africa, primarily the country of Mozambique. It was a World War II clashpoint during the Battle… …   Wikipedia 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”