Tidal mixing signatures in the Indonesian seas from high‐resolution sea surface temperature data

The presence of significant tidal mixing in the Indonesian seas is well established from both observations and numerical modeling. One indicator is a clear spring‐neap cycle in satellite sea surface temperature (SST) measurements, as first shown by Ffield and Gordon. Their early results are here updated with SST data of considerably higher spatial and temporal resolution. The largest fortnightly signals are found to be localized to relatively small straits, channels, and sills, while the deep basin of the Banda Sea displays little significant signal. A broader region of somewhat enhanced signal surrounds the Seram Sea. The high resolution of the modern SST data is especially critical for mapping the complex fortnightly signals that arise in, and especially south of, the major straits of the Lesser Sunda Island chain. Key Points Modern satellite sea surface temperature data clarify tidal mixing signatures in Indonesian seas Spring‐neap SST signals are mostly localized to straits and sills; not evident in the deep Banda Sea Major straits of the Lesser Sunda Island chain display strong, complex mixing signatures