Seasonal and Mesoscale Variability of the Kuroshio Near Its Origin

The Kuroshio is the most important current in the North Pacific. Here, we present historical data and recent observations of the Kuroshio off the coasts of Taiwan and the Philippine Archipelago, with a focus on its origins. Seasonal climatologies from shipboard hydrographic and velocity measurements...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Oceanography (Washington, D.C.) D.C.), 2011-12, Vol.24 (4), p.52-63
Main Authors: RUDNICK, DANIEL L., JAN, SEN, CENTURIONI, LUCA, LEE, CRAIG M., LIEN, REN-CHIEH, WANG, JOE, LEE, DONG-KYU, TSENG, RUO-SHAN, KIM, YOO YIN, CHERN, CHING-SHENG
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Coasts
Gliders
Kuroshio
Ocean currents
oceanography of Taiwan
Oceans
Rainy seasons
Salinity
Seas
SPECIAL ISSUE ON THE OCEANOGRAPHY OF TAIWAN
Spices
Summer
Winter
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Summary:The Kuroshio is the most important current in the North Pacific. Here, we present historical data and recent observations of the Kuroshio off the coasts of Taiwan and the Philippine Archipelago, with a focus on its origins. Seasonal climatologies from shipboard hydrographic and velocity measurements, and from surface drifters, demonstrate changes in the Kuroshio caused by the monsoon. In particular, seasonal monsoon forcing affects the degree of penetration of the Kuroshio through Luzon Strait. Data from surface drifters and underwater gliders describe its mesoscale variability. Velocities derived from drifters make clear the mesoscale variability associated with the Subtropical Countercurrent east of the Kuroshio. Underwater gliders document mesoscale structure prominent in salinity extrema associated with water masses. The evolution of these water masses as they progress northward near the Kuroshio indicates strong mixing in the region.
ISSN:1042-8275
2377-617X
DOI:10.5670/oceanog.2011.94