Water Circulation and Transport Time Scales in the Beagle Channel, Southernmost Tip of South America

The Beagle Channel is a long and narrow interoceanic passage within the Tierra del Fuego archipelago in southernmost tip of South America. A high-resolution 3D hydrodynamic model based on finite elements method was applied to investigate residual circulation, water fluxes transport time scales inside this channel. Numerical solutions were analyzed at seasonal scale results compared with observed ocean data. circulation pattern characterized by west-to-east flow low intensity variability. through channel estimated be, average, around 12,700 m3/s, inflow its western entrance eastwards outflow mainly Mackinlay Strait. residence times vary seasonally basin averages between 36 43 days maximum values 53 95 days. provide an overview hydrodynamics Channel, unique ecosystem threatened recent anthropogenic pressures climate change.