Dynamic Interpretations of a Detailed Surface Temperature Chart of the Agulhas Current Retroflexion and Fragmentation Area

During March, 1969, an 18-day, 3-ship project yielded by far the most intensive and most nearly synoptic oceanographic coverage of the entire Agulhas Current south of Lat. 27°S. In analysing the resultant continuous surface thermograph information in the light of complementary information obtained at depth, emphasis is placed on the dynamic implications of frontal discontinuities, some of which tend to elude more precise but discrete sampling methods. Particular consideration is given to the disturbance-prone right-hand Current boundary and adjacent localised upwelling; to details of the main retroflexion and associated intense eddies; to the character of Agulhas intrusions into the South Atlantic and to the effects of the Current on the Subtropical Convergence and Benguela systems.