Study of transverse jets of the Benguela upwelling from satellite data

Analysis of daily satellite IR images of the region of the Benguela upwelling (15-32 degrees S) acquired during two sea expeditions in January-February 1986 and in April-June 1988 established the existence of a system of cold and warm transverse jets and determined the fundamental characteristics of these. The geographical positions of the jets and their interconnection with the topography of the sea bed were analysed. Correlation between the space-time variability of the system of cold jets and the seasonal intensification of the upwelling was established. Mechanisms for the generation of the upwelling jets are discussed.