The structure and transport of the Agulhas Return Current

Abstract

The Agulhas Current flows along the eastern coast of southern Africa as one of the largest western boundary currents in the world's ocean. On overshooting the southern tip of Africa at approximately 20°E, a retroflection loop is formed that causes the current to double back on itself and to form the easterly flowing Agulhas Return Current. No focussed investigation to establish the hydrography of this important component of global ocean circulation has to date been carried out.