Surface circulation and fronts of the South Pacific Ocean, east of 120°W -: art. no. L08605

The South Pacific surface circulation east of 120 degrees W is studied, using satellite tracked drifters from 1979-2004. The major currents of this region are described such as the Antarctic Circumpolar, the South Pacific, the Chile-Peru and the Cape Horn Currents. We suggest the presence of a branch, exiting from the ACC between 100-120 degrees W, and transporting subantarctic surface water toward lower latitudes. We also show the existence of an anticyclonic recirculation cell north of 35 degrees S. Finally, based on hydrographic sections, we show that in the eastern South Pacific the core of the Subtropical front corresponds to the 14 degrees C isotherm at 150 m depths and to the 2.7 m of dynamic height relative to 3000 m. The Subantarctic front is located by maximum temperature gradients in the range 3-8 degrees C at 100-400 m depth.