Why do warm anticyclonic eddies in the Agulhas Leakage undergo dynamic adjustments?

There is a large number of mesoscale eddies in the ocean, which play a significant role in ocean circulation and climate change. Recent studies have indicated that mesoscale eddy activity in most regions will become more active under the influence of global warming, but changes in the characteristics of these eddies remain unclear. This study utilizes satellite observational data and reanalysis datasets, focusing on the Agulhas Leakage region, which is rich in mesoscale eddies and has become a research hotspot due to its unique geographical position. The study finds that the changes in the characteristics of anticyclonic eddies in this region are related to variations in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Some of the eddy characteristics exhibit dynamic adjustments, with a turning point around 2005, which may be associated with sea temperature differences between the South Indian Ocean and the South Atlantic, as well as changes in the local wind field. The findings of this study will provide insights for future predictions of AMOC variability.