The retroflection of the Agulhas current.

A description of the nature and kinematics of the Agulhas current termination is given based on satellite infra red imagery and selected hydrographic measurements collected over the past decade. On average, the Agulhas retroflection lies between 16DEGREES and 20DEGREESE longitude and has a loop diameter of 340 km. During the period of the investigation the retroflection loop protruded into the South Atlantic at intervals of slightly more than one month, shedding a pinched off Agulhas ring with a diameter of about 320 km at its most westerly extension. Rings drift away at about 12 cm s-1 and can be observed by their distinctive thermal characteristics at the sea surface as far west as 5DEGREESE as far south as 46DEGREESS, well south of the subtropical convergence. The shedding rate of rings and their subsequent drift may play an important role in the dynamics of the South Atlantic Ocean.