Nearshore features of the East Australian Current System

Abstract

An airborne infrared scanner was used to map fronts and wakes that occurred at New South Wales headlands and islets. The major front was interpreted as consisting of warm water flowing southward to Point Plomer and then separating from the coast at a 60º angle. Cooler southern water flowed northward to the front and was probably entrained into it. Visual observation from the air showed a colour change and breaking waves at the front. A system of cool northward flowing littoral currents appeared to occur independently of the offshore currents. The relation of the front to the overall East Australian Current system could be interpreted from data obtained by the NOAA-6 satellite and a research vessel at the time.