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Dynamics of Kuroshio path variations in a high-resolution general circulation model
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...
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Published in: | Journal of Geophysical Research. C. Oceans 2006-11, Vol.111 (C11), p.n/a |
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Main Authors: | , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | 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. |
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ISSN: | 0148-0227 2169-9275 2156-2202 2169-9291 |
DOI: | 10.1029/2005JC003118 |