Fig. 3 The low pass (2 day) filtered along channel (orientation of 170°) speed recorded at each Aanderaa current meter of MAK-1 and MAK-2. Negative values denote flow towards the south, the direction of the interocean throughflow. The correlation (r) at similar depths between the two moorings is quite high for the shallower three levels. The lower r value at 750 m stems from the failure of the MAK-2 instrument at that level for nearly a 6 month period. Only MAK-1 had an instrument at 1500 m. The effects of the ENSO (see Fig. 4c for the SOI and El Niño indices) phasing may be seen in the throughflow speeds: higher southward speeds occur from December 1996 to August 1997, with lower values in the September 1997 to February 1998 period, before increased speeds in the later part of the MAK-1 record. From mid-May to early June 1997 a marked relaxation in the throughflow speeds is recorded; this event may reflect remote forcing from the Pacific or Indian Oceans. At the 750 m and 1500 m depths, which are below the 600 m sill depth separating the Makassar Strait from the Flores Sea to the south, reveal nearly zero mean flow, but display strong monthly oscillations.