Direct Measurements of Ocean Currents over the Continental Slope off Sydney

Abstract

The results of measurements of deep ocean currents over the continental slope off Sydney in May 1979 are presented and discussed. The measurements were made using neutrally buoyant floats. Four floats were used, at mean depths of 766, 1251, 1519 and 1886 m. All four floats moved towards north-north-east, approximately parallel to the depth contours, with mean speeds, over the 34-day tracking period, in the range 5-9 cm s^-1. The surface current, estimated from ship's set, was towards north-east, at 25 cm s^-1.