Articles | Volume 22, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-257-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/os-22-257-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
22 Jan 2026
Research article |
| 22 Jan 2026
| 22 Jan 2026
Bottom mixed layer derivation and spatial variability over the central and eastern abyssal Pacific Ocean
School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
Devin Harrison
Kelpie Geoscience Ltd., Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Nicole Jones
Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
School of Earth and Oceans, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
Joanne O'Callaghan
Department of Physics, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
Oceanly Science Limited, Wellington, New Zealand
Taimoor Sohail
School of Geography, Earth and Atmospheric Science, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
Todd Bond
School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
Heather Stewart
Kelpie Geoscience Ltd., Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Alan Jamieson
School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Australia
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Short summary
The bottom mixed layer is where water at the seafloor mixes with the water column above it, helping to move heat and nutrients around the ocean. Using new observations from the Pacific Ocean and publicly available data, we found that depth, seafloor shape, and internal wave energy losses explain much of the variation in the bottom mixed layer thickness. Our findings offer new insights into how these seafloor regions change over an abyssal region and where future measurements should focus.
The bottom mixed layer is where water at the seafloor mixes with the water column above it,...
