THE EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN GENERAL-CIRCULATION - FEATURES, STRUCTURE AND VARIABILITY

Maps are presented for dynamic height and geostrophic flow in the upper thermocline based upon four basin-wide hydrographic surveys during 1985-1987. The data collection was coordinated, intercalibrated and pooled by the international research programme for Physical Oceanography of the Eastern Mediterranean (POEM). Objective analysis mapping was constrained to have no normal flow into the coasts. These maps reveal a new picture of the general circulation in which sub-basin-scale gyres are interconnected by jets and currents. Important variabilities occur in permanent and recurrent features but transient eddies and jets also occur. A schematic synthesis is constructed.