Current measurements in the passages of the Lesser Antilles

Direct-current measurements during March and April 1970, in the four major passages through the Lesser Antilles show a westward transport of about 26 × 106 m3 sec−1. This transport is divided between the Grenada, St. Vincent, and St. Lucia passages with, respectively, 10, 10, and 6 × 106 m3 sec−1 flowing to the west. The transport through Dominica passage was less than 2 × 106 m3 sec−1 during these measurements. This flow pattern is consistent with the distribution of variables as shown by data from hydrographic stations to the east and west of each passage. On the basis of the temperature-oxygen relationship, water that enters the Caribbean with a temperature between 16°–23°C comes from a broad band of water found east of the area.