Annual Cycle of Subsurface Thermal Structure in the Tropical Atlantic Ocean

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Abstract
The subsurface thermal structure in the tropical Atlantic Ocean (30°N–20°S, East of 80°W) is studied on the basis of an extensive data bank of subsurface soundings. Calendar monthly maps are presented showing mixed layer depth, base of thermocline, thermocline thickness, and vertical temperature gradient across the thermocline. These maps are complemented by vertical cross sections depicting mixed layer depth, base of thermocline, and selected isotherms: a zonal profile along the equator (50°W–10°E), a meridional transect across the Eastern Atlantic (4°N–18°S), and a meridional section across the Central Atlantic (30°N–18°S). The basinwide subsurface thermal structure is dominated by the annual cycle of the surface wind field with extrema around April and August. The mixed layer is relatively shallow between 20°N and 10°S, with overall grater depth in the western as compared to the eastern portion of the basin. Two systems of annual cycle variation of mixed layer depth stand out. (i) Along the eq... Abstract The subsurface thermal structure in the tropical Atlantic Ocean (30°N–20°S, East of 80°W) is studied on the basis of an extensive data bank of subsurface soundings. Calendar monthly maps are presented showing mixed layer depth, base of thermocline, thermocline thickness, and vertical temperature gradient across the thermocline. These maps are complemented by vertical cross sections depicting mixed layer depth, base of thermocline, and selected isotherms: a zonal profile along the equator (50°W–10°E), a meridional transect across the Eastern Atlantic (4°N–18°S), and a meridional section across the Central Atlantic (30°N–18°S). The basinwide subsurface thermal structure is dominated by the annual cycle of the surface wind field with extrema around April and August. The mixed layer is relatively shallow between 20°N and 10°S, with overall grater depth in the western as compared to the eastern portion of the basin. Two systems of annual cycle variation of mixed layer depth stand out. (i) Along the eq...

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