Figure 2.1: Model mean temperature field in the 45m layer in June
Figure 2.2: Vertical section of the model mean temperature field in June along 5°E
The horizontal temperature anomaly at 45m associated with the lifting of the thermocline reaches a value of about 10°C. We also note that the vertical expression of the dome is limited to the depth of the thermocline: isotherms below 70m do not show a similar vertical displacement. The salinity field corresponding to the Angola dome is illustrated in figure 2.3.
Figure 2.3: Mean salinity field in June from the model along the 5°E transect.
Water mass inside the dome shows a maximum of salinity in comparison to surrounding waters. A few months later the Angolan dome is located near 7°S 7°E (figures 2.4 and 2.5).
Figure 2.4: Mean temperature field from the model in October at 45m
Figure 2.5: Vertical section of the mean temperature in October along 5°E
Once again, the thermocline shows an upward displacement in October, but the field of salinity does not indicate a maximum associated with the dome (not shown). Hence the dome should not be related to a specific water mass. It corresponds rather to a dynamical pattern, drifting and evolving in the southeast Atlantic ocean all year long.
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