Events of equatorward translation of the Vitoria Eddy

The Vitoria Eddy (VE) is a cyclone in the Brazil Current (BC) formed immediately to the south of the Vitoria–Trindade Ridge. Using altimetric derived SSH and outputs of a regional ocean model, we show evidences that once the VE is shed from a BC meander, if it is not reabsorbed, it follows a northward path crossing the Vitoria–Trindade Ridge. In all observed events of equatorward translation, the VE interacts with the anticyclonic Abrolhos Eddy (AE) centered about 19°S–37°W. Depending on the strength of the AE, the VE can take one of two different paths: one orbiting the AE and the other tight to the bathymetric lines. During the entire translation, the AE is under the influence of the equatorward intermediate flow of the Intermediate Western Boundary Current/North Brazil Undercurrent system, a key factor for its equatorward translation.