DEEP CONVECTION IN THE EASTERN BASIN OF T HE MEDITERRANEAN-SEA

In this paper on the basis of special detailed observations made on bo ard of r/v ''Yakov Gakkel'' in February 1990, the process of deep conv ective mixing in the phase of ''violent mixing'' was found and studied for the first time in the Rhodes cyclonic gyre during favourable comb ination of winter climatic and oceanological conditions. In this case a free convection was developed to the depth of 1000 m, and a penetrat ing one was traced to 2000 m and even deeper. With a question concerni ng participation of surface levantine waters in the partial formation of deep water mass in the Eastern Basin of the Mediterranean was final ly solved that was categorically denied by the majority of oceanograph ers. The intensive winter convection to the great depths in the centre of the Rhodes cyclonic gyre breaking the geostropic balance of forces results not only in the weakening of this dynamical formation but als o in the breakdown of its cyclonic circulation into several mesoscale eddies, both cyclonic and anticyclonic. Affected by active convection, the Rhodes cyclonic gyre markedly weakens for the period of two or th ree spring months and recovers again only in summer.