Deep sections through the South Australian Basin and across the Australian‐Antarctic Discordance

Abstract

Fronts and water masses in the Australian Basin are described, based on three sections made by R/V Franklin during 1994 as part of the WOCE One‐time Hydrographic Survey. The Subtropical Front is found closer to the Australian continent than previously thought. Convection of Subantarctic Mode Water is seen to reach 700 m depth. A locally formed variety of Antarctic Intermediate Water with a temperature near 6°C is found near 120°E. Antarctic Bottom Water enters the Indian Ocean through the Discordance at 125°37′E and 127°E but not at 120°E, where the deep passage seen in the topography may be closed for Bottom Water inflow.