01-05 December 2025
INCOIS, Hyderabad, India.
| Abstract Submission No. | ABS-02-0078 |
| Title of Abstract | Characteristics of Mesoscale Eddies in the South Indian Ocean and Their Implications for the Redistribution of Heat and Salt in the Basin |
| Authors | Anusree A*, Abhisek Chatterjee |
| Organisation | Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) |
| Address | INCOIS Residential Quarters Hyderabad, Telangana, India Pincode: 500090 E-mail: anusreeashok.37@gmail.com |
| Country | India |
| Presentation | Poster |
| Abstract | We examined the eddy dynamics in the south Indian Ocean (30-120°E, 55-5°S), using AVISO 1/8° resolution data for the period 1993-2023. Eddy concentrations are higher south of 45°S, and off the west coast of Australia, which gradually decreases to the west. Additionally, the number of anticyclonic eddies are slightly higher than the number of cyclonic eddies. There exists a distinct seasonal cycle for the eddy generation in this area, with an increase in the number of eddy generation from April to August (southern hemisphere winter), which then decreases towards summer. The average eddy radius is less during July-October, when maximum eddy generation occurs, and it gradually grows in radius, with the maximum observed during December-March. The average eddy amplitude is lower during May-September and it increases towards December. In addition, the average lifetime, radius and amplitude of cyclonic eddies are higher than those of anticyclonic eddies. Eddies with a radius greater than 100 km are generally found north of 30°S. Eddies with higher amplitude values are concentrated off the west coast of Australia, and along a narrow band in the southern region. Moreover, the majority of the eddies having amplitudes greater than 10 cm are cyclonic. The cyclonic eddies generated in the eastern basin tend to propagate southwards, while anticyclonic eddies tend to propagate northwards. Additionally, a greater number of cyclonic eddies persists for longer duration compared to anticyclonic eddies, with all of them originating off the west coast of Australia, and six of these even lasted for more than 4 years. By utilising MOM6 simulations, the study further investigates the role of these mesoscale eddies in transporting heat and salt within the basin and towards the north Indian Ocean, and its contribution to the region⿿s warming. |
| Are you part of IIOE-2 endorsed project | no |
| Keywords | South Indian Ocean, Mesoscale eddies, Heat transport, MOM6 |
| For Awards | no |