| The autumnal circulation of the Cretan Sea is discussed on the basis of CTD data from the POEM-3 cruise (autumn 1986). Analysis of the thermohaline and dynamic regimes of the basin revealed the existence of a large scale cyclonic gyre. In addition to the data, a numerical model was used to compute the steady-wind driven circulation pattern, taking into consideration the autumnal fields of water density. The resulting dynamic structure of the Cretan Sea waters differs from that of the other seasons. In the surface layer of the western Cretan Sea down to 100 m predominated a relatively brackish water layer of Black Sea origin. In the SE Cretan Sea, this water mass penetrated as far southeast as the Kasos Strait. During this season, the circulation in the... |
