Hydrology
3
PATAGONIA
52'45' S
TI~, RA DEL FUEGO
73' 3Q' t"
71'30'W
f 30 ' Y
~ ~ ~
I w !
~
1
~
'"
75
100
125
150
175
200
225
250
275
N. miles
Fig. 1.2. Subdivisions of micro basins and depth profiles along the main axis within the Straits of Magellan
cooling processes become more marked in
the southern section of Canal Ancho, reflecting a further input of continental water. In
addition, this area is also influenced by water
from the Whiteside Canal and Seno
Almirantazgo which receive waters from Rio
Azopardo and fluvial-glacial water from
glaciers located on the northern side of
Cordillera Darwin.
Near Capo Froward, where the central
sub-basin of the Straits turns northwest
toward the Carlos III Island sill, temperature
and salinity increase slightly, particularly in
the surface layer and down to the 100-200 m
depth. On the whole, the vertical thermohaline structure of the water masses
making up most of the central sub-basin are
very similar. Intense water mass exchange
takes place in the area of the sill. Near Carlo
III Island, a frontal system can be observed
due to strong tidal mixing resulting from the
marked narrowing of the Straits. The vertical