A note on the residual currents in the Arabian Gulf

The residual circulation in the Arabian Gulf is discussed on the basis of current meter data obtained by R.V. Mt. Mitchell (NOAA) during March–May, 1992 at five mooring stations. The average velocity of the surface residuals is about 6 cm s−1 and the magnitude of the bottom residuals is of the same order. The residual currents indicate a surface flow into and a deep flow out of the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz. The surface water flows along the Iranian coast and seems to form an anticlockwise gyre in the southern half of the Gulf during winter. This gyre probably extends further northwards in early summer due to the onset of the southwest monsoon during which, the surface flow into the Gulf increases.