UPDATED BATHYMETRY OF THE ANEGADA-JUNGFERN PASSAGE COMPLEX AND IMPLICATIONS FOR ATLANTIC INFLOW TO THE ABYSSAL CARIBBEAN SEA

Recent bathymetric, hydrographic and direct velocity measurements indi cate that a previously unexplored deep passage in the northeastern Car ibbean Sea may play a significant role in the abyssal ventilation of t his basin. The Anegada-Jungfern Passage complex has long been recogniz ed as the sole pathway for deep Atlantic inflow to the eastern Caribbe an. The Anegada Passage (sill depth 1915 m) connects the Atlantic Ocea n with the small Virgin Islands Basin, while Jungfern Passage (sill de pth 1815 m) connects the latter with the large and deep Venezuela Basi n comprising the eastern third of the Caribbean Sea. In the region of Jungfern Passage recent bathymetric measurements reveal additional, sh allower routes for Atlantic inflow at depths between 1710 and 1630 m. Despite the relatively shallow controlling depths of these passages, d irect measurements of velocity and watermass properties reveal an acti ve inflow of water of Atlantic origin. Bathymetric and other oceanogra phic observations indicate that the previously unexplored Grappler Cha nnel (sill depth 1710 m; located just west of Jungfern Passage) is res ponsible for up to 20% of the total inflow to the abyssal Caribbean fr om the mid-depth Atlantic (about 0.2 Sv).