Abstract
The Romanche and Chain Fracture Zones of the equatorial Atlantic Ocean are known as pathways for the Antarctic Bottom Water from the western to the eastern trough of the Atlantic across the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. New observations are reported here on the bathymetry and hydrology of both fracture zones. The main sills of the Romanche and Chain Fracture Zones were determined to be at depths of 4350 and 4050 m. Bottom potential temperature is used to show that the main path followed by bottom water from the western to the eastern basin is along the Romanche valley. Bottom temperature increases in the Romanche Fracture Zone from 0.63°C at the entrance at 19°W to 1.33°C at the exit at 12°W as a result of both blocking by topography of the coldest water and vertical mixing. Most of the bottom water which enters the Chain Fracture Zone is blocked by the main sill along the axis and has to follow a complicated pathway through a communication region before reaching the eastern basis.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
