A SYNTHESIS OF THE LEVANTINE BASIN CIRCULATION AND HYDROGRAPHY, 1985-1990

Abstract

The Levantine Basin circulation derived from recent data consists of a series of sub-basin-scale to mesoscale eddies interconnected by jets. The basin-scale circulation is masked by eddy variability that modulates and modifies it on seasonal and interannual time scales. Long-term qualitative changes in the circulation are reflected in the bifurcation patterns of the mid-basin jets, relative strengths of eddies and the hydrographic properties at the core of these eddies. Confinement within the Basin geometry strongly influences the co-evolution of the circulation features.