Abstract
In-situ and remote sensing data are used to identify three states of the
East Madagascar Current (EMC) southern extension: Early-Retroflection,
Canonical-Retroflection and No-Retroflection. Retroflections occur 47%
of the time. EMC strength regulates the retroflection state, although
impinged mesoscale eddies also contribute to the retroflection
formation. The Early-Retroflection is linked with the EMC volume
transport. Anticyclonic eddies drifting from the central Indian Ocean to
the coast favors Early-Retroflection formation, anticyclonic eddies near
the southern tip of Madagascar promotes the generation of Canonical
Retroflection, and No-Retroflection appears to be associated with a
lower Eddy Kinetic Energy (EKE). Knowledge of the EMC retroflection
state could help predicting: (1) coastal upwelling south of Madagascar,
(2) the South-East Madagascar phytoplankton bloom, (3) the formation of
South Indian Ocean Counter Current (SICC). The EMC retroflection status
appears to have a slight noticeable impact on the Agulhas Current
system.