44 



DISCOVERY REPORTS 



results is shown by a definite break in the lines on these charts, indicating the uncertainty 

 in the combination of the results from two years. Arrows have been added to the 

 dynamic isobaths to indicate the direction of the currents. 



In the topographic chart of the sea surface the same current features are shown as 

 were previously mentioned, but the great influence of water from the Weddell Sea is 

 especially emphasized. When the line of stations from Elephant and Clarence Islands 

 was being taken, it was impossible to make observations as far as Joinville Island because 

 very heavy pack-ice was met just beyond St. 541. This pack-ice must have come from 

 the Weddell Sea, and its present position was the resultant of wind and current direction. 

 The combined observations from November 1929 and December 1930 show a current 

 of Weddell Sea water setting to the west between Sts. WS 481 and WS 480, which 

 turned back close to the latter station and flowed to the north, joining the current along 



Table VI. Relative heights in dynamic centimetres of the level of the sea surface 



above that at St. WS 480 



King George Island from the south-west. On the present evidence it is difficult to 

 estimate how much of the current close to Cape Melville flows counter-clockwise round 

 the South Shetland Islands, and how much flows north of Bridgeman Island and then 

 to the east. Between Sts. 538 and 541 a current towards the east is shown, but the 

 dynamic isobaths to the north of St. 539 have not been joined up with the corresponding 

 lines close to King George Island because it is impossible at present to estimate the 

 direction of flow of water across the probable ridge between Elephant and King George 

 Islands. There is no doubt of the anti-clockwise circulation around the islands of the 

 South Shetland group. The observations at St. 537 between Elephant and Clarence 

 Islands have not been included in these charts because this station is situated in a 

 relatively deep basin between these islands and is shut off to the south by a ridge which 

 prevents free circulation with the water to the north-east of the Bransfield Strait. 

 The northerly set of the current between Joinville and King George Islands explains 



