@article{fdi:010044090,
  title = {{B}ifurcation of the subtropical south equatorial current against {N}ew {C}aledonia in {D}ecember 2004 from a hydrographic inverse box model},
  author = {{G}anachaud, {A}lexandre and {G}ourdeau, {L}ionel and {K}essler, {W}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{T}he {S}outh {E}quatorial {C}urrent ({SEC}), the westward branch of the {S}outh {P}acific subtropical gyre, extends from the equator to 30 degrees {S} at depth. {L}inear ocean dynamics predict that the {SEC} forms boundary currents on the eastern coasts of the {S}outh {P}acific islands it encounters. {T}hose currents would then detach at the northern and southern tips of the islands, and cross the {C}oral {S}ea in the form of jets. {T}he {F}iji {I}slands, the {V}anuatu archipelago, and {N}ew {C}aledonia are the major topographic obstacles on the {SEC} pathway to the {A}ustralian coast. {L}arge-scale numerical studies, as well as climatologies, suggest the formation of three jets in their lee: the north {V}anuatu jet ({NVJ}), the north {C}aledonian jet ({NCJ}), and the south {C}aledonian jet ({SCJ}), implying a bifurcation against the east coast of each island. {T}he flow observed during the {SECALIS}-2 cruise in {D}ecember 2004 between {V}anuatu and {N}ew {C}aledonia is presented herein. {A}n inverse box model is used to provide quantitative transport estimates with uncertainties and to infer the pathways and boundary current formation. {F}or that particular month, the 0-2000-m {SEC} inflow was found to be 20 +/- 4 {S}v (1 {S}v equivalent to 10(6) m(3) s(-1)) between {V}anuatu and {N}ew {C}aledonia. {O}f that, 6 +/- 2 {S}v bifurcated to the south in a boundary current against the {N}ew {C}aledonia coast (the {V}auban {C}urrent), and the remainder exited north of {N}ew {C}aledonia, feeding the {NCJ}. {T}he flow is comparable both above and below the thermocline, while complex topography, associated with oceanic eddy generation, introduces several recirculation features. {T}o the north, the {NCJ}, which extends down to 1500 m, was fed not only by the {SEC} inflow, but also by waters coming from the north, which have possibly been recirculated. {T}o the south, a westward current rounds the tip of {N}ew {C}aledonia. {A} numerical simulation suggests a partial continuity with the deep extension of the {V}auban {C}urrent (this current would then be the {SCJ}) while the hydrographic sections are too distant to confirm such continuity.},
  keywords = {{NOUVELLE} {CALEDONIE} ; {VANUATU} ; {PACIFIQUE} ; {MER} {DE} {CORAIL}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {P}hysical {O}ceanography},
  volume = {38},
  numero = {9},
  pages = {2072--2084},
  ISSN = {0022-3670},
  year = {2008},
  DOI = {10.1175/2008jpo3901.1},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010044090},
}