6. Somali Current, Shear Zone

Along the margin of the Somali Current, a shear zone and eddy field in the Gulf of Oman contrast with the more uniform linear features formed within the current. Sea-surface field measurements taken as shuttle astronauts photographed this scene recorded flow movement at approximately 2 knots along the shear zone. This photograph illustrates that shear and eddy features occur not only out in the deep ocean basins, where complex ocean dynamics might be expected to operate, but are also found close to land.

STS-51C, January 1985. Picture #51C-37-014

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