STUDY ON MEAN CURRENTS IN MAKASSAR STRAIT

• Main Author: FITRIASARI (NIM: 12908030); pembimbing: Dr. Eng. Nining Sari Ningsih, MS, HANIFAH
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/18588
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The characteristic of mean currents was studied in Makassar Strait based on observation currents data for 3 (three) years in 4 depths (100 m, 200 m, 300 m, and 750 m) were obtained from INSTANT (International Nusantara Stratification and Transport) Program. The currents data were processed to describe the mean currents, astronomical tide currents, and non-astronomical currents using T_Tide tidal prediction model which was developed based on harmonic analysis method. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The study results showed that the mean currents in the Makassar Strait obtained from T_Tide program, dominantly flows southward with the maximum velocity of about 73.1 cm/s (at depth 100 m) in July. This southwardly mean current which flow through Makassar Strait is strongly believed as Indonesian Throughflow (ITF). <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> Based on this study, also revealed that the seasonal and inter-annual variations (El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Dipole Mode (DM)) affects the variability of southward mean currents in the Makassar Strait. The value of southward mean currents in Makassar Strait is strengthened during east monsoon and weakened during the west monsoon. The southward mean currents weakened (strengthened) during the El Niño/DM (-) (La Niña/DM (+)) phenomenon. There is a time lag from the response of mean currents to ENSO or DM phenomenon. They are 2 months in the depth of 100 m and 3 months in the depth of 200 m and 300 m. In transitional seasons, it is found the propagation of Kelvin wave from Indian Ocean affect to southward mean currents in the depth of 750 m, characterized by the weakening of the current intensity.