A method is described for determining the absolute dynamic
topography of the sea surface. Using hydrographic and wind data obtained
in 1963, the surface topography and the horizontal and vertical
mass transports off the southeast Arabian coast during the summer
monsoon are calculated. As indicated by the calculations, upwelling
occurs throughout a region extending at least 400 km offshore and
paralleling the Arabian coast for over 1000 km. Upwelling is most
intense in a narrow band adjacent to the coast. Because of the great
breadth of the upwelling zone, the upwelled water is supplied from
levels considerably deeper than those observed elsewhere in coastal
upwelling areas
