Mixed layer depth and thermocline climatology of the Arabian Sea and western equatorial Indian Ocean

Abstract

A band of zonally oriented ridge of mixed layer depth and thermocline base extending from African coast to the central Indian Ocean is observed between 5 degrees S and 10 degrees S throughout the year. Mixed layer depth and thermocline base deepen during February and March in the vicinity of equator, off Kenya due to the convergence of northward flowing East African Coastal Current and southward flowing Somali current. Power law has been used to calculate thermocline base. Characteristics of thermocline thickness resemble those of the thermocline base.