An upwelling cell inshore of the East Madagascar Current

A distinct, coastal upwelling cell inshore of the southern limb of the East Madagascar Current is described. The upwelling cell has cold surface water, with high concentrations of chlorophyll-a. It is located where this current moves from a bathymetry characterised by a narrow continental shelf and a steep slope to one characterised by a wider shelf and a less steep slope. There seems to be no correlation between the local winds and the presence of upwelled water, suggesting current-induced upwelling. Advection of upwelling filaments is consistent with the concept of an East Madagascar retroflection. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.