Seasonal cycle of hydrography in the Bab el Mandab region, Southern Red Sea

Abstract

The seasonal cycle of temperature - salinity variations in the Bab el Mandab region (southern Red Sea) is described using CTD data collected during four cruises spread over the period May 1995 - August 1997. A two layer system exists during early summer, winter and spring while a three layer system exists during summer. During summer, a large amount of the Gulf of Aden water intrudes into the Bab el Mandab region; up to the northern limit (14.5°N). The quantity of Red Sea water that flows into the Gulf of Aden is maximum during the winter and minimum during the summer.