TEMPERATURE, SALINITY, AND DENSITY OF THE WORLD'S SEAS: INDONESIAN SEAS.

The temperature, salinity, and density of the waters in the Indonesian Seas are controlled primarily by the climate and complex geography of the area. Near the surface, the heavy monsoonal rains maintain a permanent layer of relatively low salinities over much of the area. At depth, the broad shallows and narrow troughs impound the water in many deep basins and restrict the horizontal penetration of Pacific water. Variations in the distribution of the waters physical properties are induced mainly by changes in the extent and intensity of the monsoons. Short-term variations may be caused by transient atmospheric pressure inequalities, locally abnormal rainfall, coastal upwelling, and rhythmic movements of the tides. Author