MODELLING OF OCEAN CURRENTS AND SURGE ALONG THE IRANIAN MAKRAN COASTLINE ON THE OMAN SEA

The southeast coast of Iran bordering the western Makran region is exposed to the Indian Ocean (see Figure 1) and is directly affected by the climate and hydrodynamic processes of this ocean. Measurements of currents by the Port and Maritime Organization (PMO) in 2006-7 around Chabahar and by the Iranian Fishery Organization in 2008 at Zarabad, have shown the presence of oscillating ocean currents along this coastline. The oscillation period of these currents varies approximately from 3 days to a week. They are typically strong through the water column with the near-bed current velocity reaching up to 0.5 m/s at 20~30 m depth. In 2014, the Iranian Makran coastline was selected by the PMO to be studied as the Phase 6 in the series of Monitoring and Modelling Studies of Iranian Coasts. Makran Coast plays an important role in country’s future navigation and trade due to its accessibility.