The Seychelles–Chagos Thermocline Ridge is studied as three distinct sub-regions.
Eastern sub-region is more prone to different ENSO/IOD influences.
Surface Chl-a in eastern sub-region exhibits significant 5-year band.
Significant 1-year signal of sub-surface Chl-a prevails in eastern sub-region.
SST, 20 °C isotherm depth, wind stress curl and Chl-a before and after the 1976–1977 climate shift differed across the SCTR.