The Indo‐Pacific throughflow in the Timor Passage

TLDR

Previous studies have shown significant 20‑ to 60‑day variability in the Indo‑Pacific throughflow. Two current meter moorings were deployed between Roti Island and Ashmore Reef in March 1992 and recovered in April 1993. The throughflow through the Timor Passage averaged 3.4–5.3 Sv, with a weak surface maximum during the southwest monsoon and a substantial deep component (500–1550 m) that is strongest outside August–September.

Abstract

Two current meter moorings were deployed from the R/V Marion Dufresne in March 1992 between Roti Island and the Ashmore Reef and were recovered in April 1993 onboard the R/V Baruna Jaya 1 . The mean transport was estimated between 3.4 and 5.3 Sv (1 Sv = 10 6 m 3 /s) for the Pacific water flowing toward the Indian Ocean through the Timor Passage. The upper part of the transport, from the surface to 500 m, shows a weak maximum during the southwest monsoon. An unexpected deep flow toward the Indian Ocean between 500 and 1550 m brings an important contribution to the total transport, which is minimum during August–September. As already noted in previous experiments, there is significant variability in the form of a succession of events within the 20‐ to 60‐day range.