On the climatology of warm-core rings from the East Australian Current

Abstract

The observed geographical distribution of warm-core rings is discussed in relation to the coverage of past research cruises. It is found that no rings, detached from the East Australian Current, have been found north of 33ºS. and that there is a tendency for them to persist for some time to the south- east of Jervis Bay between 35 and 38ºS. and 151 and 154ºE. Surface mixed-layer temperatures are similar to monthly mean values over 10 years, being 0.35ºC higher on average with a standard deviation of 1.0ºC. Surface mixed-layer depths within rings are significantly greater than the average values found at 34ºS. from February to September but are close to the average values in November and December.