Agulhas Passage

The crustal thickness under the Agulhas Passage varies from 6 to 10 km (3.7 to 6.2 mi) which is equally normal for oceanic crust.

It is possible, however, that volcanic flows from the Agulhas Plateau large igneous province (LIP) added crustal material to the Agulhas Passage (which is 160-120 Ma) during the LIP formation (100-80 Ma) and that the crust under the passage was originally thinner.

In the central parts of the passage, in contrast, they can reach 1,300 m (4,300 ft) and form sediment drifts.

In the Indian Ocean, the Agulhas Current is dissipated into a gyre which finally brings parts of the water mass back to the Natal Valley.

[6] Antarctic Intermediate Water flows from Antarctica into the Indian Ocean from where it reaches Africa from the east.