Submesoscale flows impact Agulhas leakage in ocean simulations

Abstract Agulhas leakage, the warm and salty inflow of Indian Ocean water into Atlantic Ocean, is importance for climate-relevant Meridional Overturning Circulation. South Africa, eastward turning Current sheds rings, cyclones filaments order 100 km that carry Cape Basin further Atlantic. Here, we show resolution submesoscale flows 10 in an ocean model leads to 40 % more leakage realistic water-masses compared a parallel non-submesoscale resolving simulation. Moreover, strengthen shear-edge eddies consequence lee at northern edge Current, as well pathway region takes place outside mesoscale eddies. This indicates increase can be attributed stronger filaments, when are resolved.