Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Hydrographic Features off the Southeast Coast of Kyushu during the Kuroshio Small Meanders: A Case Study for Small Meanders that Occurred in 1994 and 1995 Spring

  • Published:
Journal of Oceanography Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Three Kuroshio small meanders off the southeast coast of Kyushu that occurred during 1994 to 1995 were investigated by using satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST) and sea surface height (SSH) maps, World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) Hydrographic Program (WHP) repeat section and Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) hydrographic observations. Based on the satellite data, we observed that the three small meanders are formed by different processes: the triggering and growth of these meanders are caused by a cyclonic eddy propagating from the Kuroshio recirculation region or Kuroshio front meanders traveling from the East China Sea. Investigation of the two small meanders in 1994 and 1995 spring that are captured by the WHP observation showed quite consistent hydrographic features. On the nearshore side of the meandering Kuroshio, a countercurrent appears, associated with vertically uniform upward lifts of the isopycnals from sea surface to bottom at the boundary between the countercurrent and the Kuroshio. In the countercurrent region, the waters in the density ranges of the North Pacific subtropical mode water (NPSTMW) and the North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW) are more saline and less saline than typical waters that the Kuroshio carries in a non-small meander state, respectively. There are indications that high-salinity NPSTMW and low-salinity NPIW distributed off the Kuroshio was supplied to the countercurrent region. In the meandering Kuroshio flow, while there is no notable change in properties around the NPSTMW density range, salinity of the NPIW is significantly higher than that carried by the Kuroshio in a non-small meander state, but not higher than that in the Kuroshio at the Tokara Strait, which suggests that saline NPIW from the Tokara Strait, less mixed with low-salinity NPIW off the Kuroshio, may be carried by the meandering Kuroshio.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akima, H. (1970): A new method of interpolation and smooth curve fitting based on local procedures. J. Assoc. Comput. Mach., 17, 589–603.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akitomo, K., T. Awaji and N. Imasato (1991): Kuroshio path variation south of Japan. Part I: Barotropic inflow-outflow model. J. Geophys. Res., 96, 2549–2560.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akitomo, K., S. Masuda and T. Awaji (1997): Kuroshio path variation south of Japan: Stability of the paths in a multiple equilibrium regime. J. Oceanogr., 53, 129–142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bingham, F. M. and L. D. Talley (1991): Estimation of Kuroshio transport using an inverse technique. Deep-Sea Res., 38, Suppl., S21–S43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bower, A. S. (1991): A simple kinematic mechanism for mix-ing fluid parcels across a meandering jet. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 21, 173–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bower, A. S. and T. Rossby (1989): Evidence of cross-frontal exchange processes in Gulf Stream meanders based on isopycnal RAFOS float data. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 19, 1177– 1190.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ducet, N., P. Y. Le Traon and G. Reverdin (2000): Global high-resolution mapping of ocean circulation from TOPEX/ Poseidon and ERS-1 and-2. J. Geophys. Res., 105, 19477–19498.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ebuchi, N. and K. Hanawa (2000): Mesoscale eddies observed by TOLEX-ADCP and TOPEX/POSEIDON altimeter in the Kuroshio recirculation region south of Japan. J. Oceanogr., 56,43–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ebuchi, N. and K. Hanawa (2001): Trajectory of mesoscale eddies observed in the Kuroshio recirculation region south of Japan. J. Oceanogr., 57, 471–480.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ebuchi, N. and K. Hanawa (2003): Influence of mesoscale ed-dies on variations of the Kuroshio path south of Japan. J. Oceanogr., 59,25–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flierl, G. R. (1981): Particle motions in large-amplitude wave fields. Geophys. Astrophys. Fluid Dyn., 18, 39–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fukuoka, J. (1960): An analysis on the mechanism of the cold water mass appearance in the Enshunada. Oceanogr. Mag., 11, 127–143.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hosoda, K. and K. Hanawa (2004): Anticyclonic eddy reveal-ing low sea surface temperature in the sea south of Japan: Case study for the eddy observed in 1999–2000. J. Oceanogr., 60, this issue, 663–671.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ichikawa, H., T. Takahashi and A. Maeda (1985): Current char-acteristics and topographic effects at the section off Cape Toi-misaki. p. 96–103. In Ocean Characteristics and Their Changes, ed. by K. Kajiura, Kouseisha-Kouseikaku, Japan (in Japanese).

    Google Scholar 

  • James, C., M. Wimbush and H. Ichikawa (1999): Kuroshio meanders in the East China Sea. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 29, 259–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaneko, I., Y. Takatsuki, H. Kamiya and S. Kawabe (1998): Water property and current distribution along the WHP-P9 section (13?E–14?E) in the western North Pacific. J. Geophys. Res., 103, 12959–12984.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaneko, I., Y. Takatsuki and H. Kamiya (2001): Circulation of intermediate and deep waters in the Philippine Sea. J. Oceanogr., 57, 397–420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kawabe, M. (1985): Sea level variations at the Izu Islands and typical stable paths of the Kuroshio. J. Oceanogr. Soc. Ja-pan, 41, 307–326.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kawabe, M. (1995): Variations of current path, velocity, and volume transport of the Kuroshio in relation with the large meander. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 25, 3103–3117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kawai, H. (1969): Statistical estimation of isotherms indica-tive of the Kuroshio axis. Deep-Sea Res., 16, Suppl., 109– 115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kobashi, F. and H. Kawamura (2001): Variation of sea surface height at periods of 65–220 days in the subtropical gyre of the North Pacific. J. Geophys. Res., 106, 26817–26831.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Le Traon, P. Y., F. Nadal and N. Ducet (1998): An improved mapping method of multi-satellite altimeter data. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 25, 522–534.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masuda, S. and K. Akitomo (2000): Effects of stratification and bottom topography on the Kuroshio path variation south of Japan. Part II: Path transitions in a multiple equilibrium regime. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 30, 1431–1449.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masuda, S., K. Akitomo and T. Awaji (1999): Effects of strati-fication and bottom topography on the Kuroshio path vari-ation south of Japan. Part I: Dependence of the path selec-tion on velocity. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 29, 2419–2431.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masuzawa, J. (1969): Subtropical mode water. Deep-Sea Res., 16, 436–472.

    Google Scholar 

  • Masuzawa, J. (1972): Water characteristics of the North Pa-cific central region. p. 95–127. In Kuroshio--Its Physical Aspects, ed. by H. Stommel and K. Yoshida, University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitsudera, H., T. Waseda, Y. Yoshikawa and B. Taguchi (2001): Anticyclonic eddies and Kuroshio meander formation. Geophys. Res. Lett., 28, 2025–2028.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moriyasu, S. (1961): On the influence of the monsoon on the oceanographic conditions. J. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 2, 74–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakano, T., I. Kaneko and Y. Takatsuki (1994): The Kuroshio structure and transport estimated by the inverse method. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 24, 609–618.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nitani, H. (1972): Beginning of the Kuroshio. p. 129–163. In Kuroshio--Its Physical Aspects, ed. by H. Stommel and K. Yoshida, University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiu, B. (1999): Seasonal eddy field modulation of the North Pacific subtropical countercurrent: TOPEX/Poseidon obser-vations and theory. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 29, 2471–2486.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qiu, B., T. Toda and N. Imasato (1990): On the Kuroshio front fluctuations in the East China Sea using satellite and in situ observational data. J. Geophys. Res., 95, 18191–18204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reid, J. L. (1965): Intermediate waters of the Pacific Ocean. The Johns Hopkins Oceanographic Studies, 2, 85 pp.

  • Sakaida, F., J. Kudoh and H. Kawamura (2000): A-HIGHERS-- The system to produce the high spatial resolution sea sur-face temperature maps of the western North Pacific using AVHRR/NOAA. J. Oceanogr., 56, 707–716.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sekine, Y. and S. Miyamoto (2002): Influence of Kuroshio flow on the horizontal distribution of North Pacific Intermediate Water in the Shikoku Basin. J. Oceanogr., 58, 611–616.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sekine, Y. and Y. Toba (1981a): Velocity variation of the Kuroshio during the small meander formation south of Kyushu. J. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 37,87–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sekine, Y. and Y. Toba (1981b): A numerical study on the gen-eration of the small meander of the Kuroshio off southern Kyushu. J. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 37, 234–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shoji, D. (1972): Time variation of the Kuroshio south of Ja-pan. p. 217–234. In Kuroshio--Its Physical Aspects, ed. by H. Stommel and K. Yoshida, University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Solomon, H. (1978): Occurrence of small “Trigger” meanders in the Kuroshio off southern Kyushu. J. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 34,81–84.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suga, T. and K. Hanawa (1995): The subtropical mode water circulation in the North Pacific. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 25, 958–970.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suga, T., K. Hanawa and Y. Toba (1989): Subtropical mode water in the 13?E section. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 19, 1605–1618.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takeuchi, M., S. Imawaki, S. Umatani, K. Yamada, H. Uchida and M. Fukasawa (2002): Velocity structures of the Kuroshio and coastal cyclonic eddies off Shikoku, Japan observed by moored ADCPs. Int. Rep. of Research Insti-tute for Applied Mechanics, Kyushu University, 123, 29–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Talley, L. D. (1993): Distribution and formation of North Pa-cific Intermediate Water. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 23, 517–537.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uehara, H., T. Suga, K. Hanawa and N. Shikama (2003): A role of eddies in formation and transport of North Pacific Sub-tropical Mode Water. Geophys. Res. Lett., 30, 1705, 10.1029/2003GL017542.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Pacific Research Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, 96822, U.S.A.

    Fumiaki Kobashi

  2. Frontier Research System for Global Change, Yokohama, 236-0001, Japan

    Fumiaki Kobashi

  3. Department of Geophysics, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan

    Kimio Hanawa

Authors
  1. Fumiaki Kobashi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kimio Hanawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kobashi, F., Hanawa, K. Hydrographic Features off the Southeast Coast of Kyushu during the Kuroshio Small Meanders: A Case Study for Small Meanders that Occurred in 1994 and 1995 Spring. Journal of Oceanography 60, 645–661 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-004-5758-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-004-5758-x

Search

Navigation