The interdecadal variation of Indonesian Throughflow and its mechanism

The interdecadal variation of the volume and heat transport of Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) and its mechanism are preliminarily studied on the basis of the updated SODA data. It is found that the interdecadal variation of ITF’s volume transport is mainly concentrated in upper 714 m and that of ITF’s heat transport is mainly confined to upper 450 m. There is fairly consistent interdecadal variation in the depth-integrated seawater pressure above different depths in the region south of Davao, north of New Guinea and southwest of Australia. The depth-integrated pressure difference between northwest of Australia and south of Java has best correspondence with ITF’s volume transport on interdecadal time scales. The relation between the wind stress on the Pacific and ITF’s volume transport on interdecadal time scales is studied based on Island Rule. It is shown that both the wind stress along the zonal lines just south of Australia and the Equator act as the dominant contributors to ITF’s volume transport, with the latter dominating the phase of ITF’s interdecadal variation. These results indicate that the atmospheric forcing and oceanic adjustment in the tropical region both contribute significantly to the ITF’s interdecadal variation.