EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Tsujino et al. 2006
Tsujino, H., Usui, N. and Nakano, H. (2006). Dynamics of Kuroshio path variations in a high-resolution general circulation model. Journal of Geophysical Research 111: doi: 10.1029/2005JC003118. issn: 0148-0227.

A long-lived (2-year) typical large meander (LM) path of the Kuroshio is reproduced in a high-resolution general circulation model (GCM) simulation with realistic topography, and the life cycle (formation, maintenance, and disappearance) of the LM is studied. The formation of the LM is triggered by a pair of upper layer anticyclonic and cyclonic eddies on the Kuroshio, with the cyclonic one on the downstream side. Upon reaching the western side of the Shikoku Basin south of Japan these anomalies induce a lower layer anticyclonic eddy. They enhance each other while they are carried eastward by the Kuroshio. Specifically, the southward flow on the eastern side of the lower anticyclonic eddy carries the upper cold cyclonic eddy offshore, resulting in the southward deflection of the Kuroshio path (large meander). These processes can be understood as a growth of baroclinic instability. A stationary LM is established when the westward tendency, caused by the beta effect owing to the large meridional displacement, counterbalances the eastward tendency, caused by the combination of advection and vortex induction owing to the curvature of the Kuroshio path. Large-scale disturbances from the upstream tend to strengthen the LM through baroclinic energy conversion. In contrast, small-scale disturbances from the upstream grow locally along the meandering Kuroshio front through baroclinic energy conversion. They extract cold waters from the cold cyclonic eddy of the LM as they flow away to the east. The horizontal extent of the cold cyclonic eddy is reduced, and the meander is carried eastward since the advection effect dominates over the beta effect that weakens as a result of the smaller meridional extent.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Oceanography, General, Ocean acoustics, Oceanography, Physical, Planetary waves, Oceanography, Physical, Western boundary currents
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit