On the winter flow in the southern Mozambique channel

Recent reports have suggested that, on average, there is no significant continuity between the South Equatorial Current and the Agulhas Current through the Mozambique Channel. This postulated closure of the southern Channel to meridional throughflow and the existence of associated frontal structures are investigated through the use of CTD data and infrared imagery collected during the austral winter, 1986. In contrast to the above-mentioned reports. the present results agree qualitatively and quantitatively with those derived during the International Indian Ocean Expedition in winter, namely a southward flow down the Mozambique Channel and a westward contribution around southern Madagascar.