Oceanography The Official Magazine of
The Oceanography Society
Volume 28 Issue 04

View Issue TOC
Volume 28, No. 4
Pages 84 - 95

OpenAccess

Mean Structure and Variability of the Kuroshio from Northeastern Taiwan to Southwestern Japan

By Magdalena Andres , Sen Jan, Thomas B. Sanford , Vigan Mensah , Luca R. Centurioni , and Jeffrey W. Book 
Jump to
Article Abstract Citation References Copyright & Usage
Article Abstract

In the subtropical western North Pacific Ocean, the Kuroshio delivers heat, salt, and momentum poleward, much like its North Atlantic analog, the Gulf Stream. Though the Kuroshio generally flows along the western boundary from Taiwan to southeastern Japan as an “attached” current, the Kuroshio’s strength, vertical structure, and horizontal position undergo significant temporal and spatial variability along this entire route. Ubiquitous mesoscale eddies and complicated topography associated with a string of marginal seas combine to make the western North Pacific a region with complex circulation. Here, we synthesize results from the recent US Origins of the Kuroshio and Mindanao Currents and Taiwan Observations of Kuroshio Transport Variability observational programs with previous findings to build a comprehensive picture of the Kuroshio on its route from northeastern Taiwan to southeastern Japan, where the current finally transitions from a western boundary current into the Kuroshio Extension, a vigorously meandering free jet.

Citation

Andres, M., S. Jan, T.B. Sanford, V. Mensah, L.R. Centurioni, and J.W. Book. 2015. Mean structure and variability of the Kuroshio from northeastern Taiwan to southwestern Japan. Oceanography 28(4):84–95, https://doi.org/​10.5670/oceanog.2015.84.

References
    Ambe, D., S. Imawaki, H. Uchida, and K. Ichikawa. 2004. Estimating the Kuroshio axis south of Japan using combination of satellite altimetry and drifting buoys. Journal of Oceanography 60:375–382, https://doi.org/​10.1023/B:JOCE.0000038343.31468.fe.
  1. Andres, M., and C. Cenedese. 2013. Laboratory experiments and observations of cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies impinging on an island. Journal of Geophysical Research 118:762–773, https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrc.20081.
  2. Andres, M., Y.-O. Kwon, and J. Yang, 2011. Observations of the Kuroshio’s barotropic and baroclinic responses to basin-wide wind forcing. Journal of Geophysical Research 116, C04011, https://doi.org/10.1029/2010JC006863.
  3. Andres, M., J.-H. Park, M. Wimbush, X.-H. Zhu, K.-I. Chang, and H. Ichikawa. 2008a. Study of the Ryukyu Current-Kuroshio system based on the integrated use of satellite altimetry and in situ data. Journal of Oceanography 64:937–950.
  4. Andres, M., J.M. Toole, D. Torres, W.M. Smethie Jr., T.M. Joyce, R.G. Curry. In press. Stirring by deep cyclones and the evolution of Denmark Strait Overflow Water observed at Line W. Deep Sea Research., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2015.12.011.
  5. Andres, M., M. Wimbush, J.-H. Park, K.-I. Chang, B.-H. Lim, D.R. Watts, H. Ichikawa, and W.J. Teague. 2008b. Observations of Kuroshio flow variations in the East China Sea. Journal of Geophysical Research 113, C05013, https://doi.org/​10.1029/2007JC004200.
  6. Bane, J.M., and D.A. Brooks. 1979. Gulf Stream meanders along the continental margin from the Florida Straits to Cape Hatteras. Geophysical Research Letters 6:280–282, https://doi.org/10.1029/GL006i004p00280.
  7. Book, J.W., M. Wimbush, S. Imawaki, H. Ichikawa, H. Uchida, and H. Kinoshita. 2002. Kuroshio temporal and spatial variations South of Japan determined from inverted echo sounder measurements. Journal of Geophysical Research 107(C9), 3121, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JC000795.
  8.  Chao, S.Y. 1991. Circulation of the East China Sea: A numerical study. Journal of Oceanography 46(6):273–295, https://doi.org/​10.1007/BF02123503
  9. Chern, C.-S., and J. Wang. 1994. Influence of the seasonal thermocline on the intrusion of Kuroshio across the continental shelf northeast of Taiwan. Journal of Oceanography 50:691–711, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02270500.
  10. Choi, B.H., K.O. Kim, and H.M. Eum. 2002. Digital bathymetric and topographic data for neighboring seas of Korea. Journal of the Korean Society for Coastal Ocean Engineering 14(1):41–50. [in Korean]
  11. Chuang, W.-S. and W.-D. Liang. 1994. Seasonal variability of intrusion of the Kuroshio water across the continental shelf northeast of Taiwan. Journal of Oceanography 50:531–542, https://doi.org/​10.1007/BF02235422.
  12. Donohue, K.A., D.R. Watts, K. Tracey, A.D. Greene, and M. Kennelly. 2010. Mapping circulation in the Kuroshio Extension with an array of current and pressure recording inverted echo sounders. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology 27:507–527, https://doi.org/​10.1175/2009JTECHO686.1.
  13. Douglass, E.M., S.R. Jayne, F.O. Bryan, S. Peacock, and M. Maltrud. 2012. Kuroshio pathways in a climatologically forced model. Journal of Oceanography 68:625–639, https://doi.org/​10.1007/s10872-012-0123-y
  14. Ebuchi, N., and K. Hanawa. 2003. Influence of mesoscale eddies on variations of the Kuroshio path south of Japan. Journal of Oceanography 59:25–36, https://doi.org/​10.1023/A:1022856122033
  15. Endoh, T., and T. Hibiya. 2001. Numerical simulation of the transient response of the Kuroshio leading to the large meander formation south of Japan. Journal of Geophysical Research 106(C11)26,833–26,850, https://doi.org/10.1029/2000JC000776.
  16. Gawarkiewicz, G., S. Jan, P.F.J. Lermusiaux, J.L. McClean, L. Centurioni, K. Taylor, B. Cornuelle, T.F. Duda, J. Wang, Y.J. Yang, and others. 2011. Circulation and intrusions northeast of Taiwan: Chasing and predicting uncertainty in the cold dome. Oceanography 24(4):110–121, https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2011.99.
  17. Gordon, A.L., P. Flament, C. Villanoy, and L. Centurioni. 2014. The nascent Kuroshio of Lamon Bay. Journal of Geophysical Research 119:4,251–4,263, https://doi.org/​10.1002/2014JC009882
  18. Guo, X., Y. Miyazawa, and T. Yamagata. 2006. The Kuroshio onshore intrusion along the shelf break of the East China Sea: The origin of the Tsushima Warm Current. Journal of Physical Oceanography 36:2,205–2,231, https://doi.org/​10.1175/JPO2976.1.
  19. Hsueh, Y. 1988. Recent current observations in the eastern Yellow Sea. Journal of Geophysical Research 93(6):6,875–6,884, https://doi.org/​10.1029/JC093iC06p06875.
  20. Hsueh, Y., C.S. Chern, and J. Wang. 1993. Blocking of the Kuroshio by the continental shelf northeast of Taiwan. Journal of Geophysical Research 98(C7):12,351–12,359, https://doi.org/​10.1029/93JC01075.
  21. Hsueh, Y., J. Wang, and C.S. Chern. 1992. The intrusion of the Kuroshio across the continental shelf northeast of Taiwan. Journal of Geophysical Research 97(C9):14,323–14,330, https://doi.org/​10.1029/92JC01401.
  22. Imawaki, S., H. Uchida, H. Ichikawa, M. Fukasawa, S. Umatani, and the ASUKA group. 2001. Satellite altimeter monitoring the Kuroshio transport south of Japan. Geophysical Research Letters 28(1):17–20, https://doi.org/​10.1029/2000GL011796.
  23. Isobe, A., 2008. Recent advances in ocean-circulation research on the Yellow Sea and East China Sea shelves. Journal of Oceanography 64:569–584, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-008-0048-7
  24. Isobe, A., and R.C. Beardsley. 2006. An estimate of the cross-frontal transport at the shelf break of the East China Sea with the Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model. Journal of Geophysical Research 111, C03012, https://doi.org/10.1029/2005JC003290.
  25. Isobe, A., E. Fujiwara, P.-H. Chang, K. Sugimatsu, M. Shimizu, T. Matsuno, and A. Manda. 2004. Intrusion of less saline shelf water into the Kuroshio subsurface layer in the East China Sea. Journal of Oceanography 60:853–863, https://doi.org/​10.1007/s10872-004-5778-6.
  26. James, C., and M. Wimbush. 1995. Inferring dynamic height variations from acoustic travel time in the Pacific Ocean. Journal of Oceanography 51:553–569, https://doi.org/​10.1007/BF02270524.
  27. James, C., M. Wimbush, and H. Ichikawa. 1999. Kuroshio meanders in the East China Sea. Journal of Physical Oceanography 29:259–272, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0485(1999)029​<0259:KMITEC>2.0.CO;2.
  28. Jan, S., C.-C. Chen, Y.-L. Tsai, Y.J. Yang, J. Wang, C.-S. Chern, G. Gawarkiewicz, R.-C. Lien, L. Centurioni, and J.-Y. Kuo. 2011. Mean structure and variability of the cold dome northeast of Taiwan. Oceanography 24(4):100–109, https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2011.98.
  29. Jan, S., D.D. Sheu, and H.-M. Kuo. 2006. Water mass and throughflow transport variability in the Taiwan Strait. Journal of Geophysical Research 111, C12012, https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JC003656.
  30. Jan, S., J. Wang, C.-S. Chern, and S.-Y. Chao. 2002. Seasonal variation of the circulation in the Taiwan Strait. Journal of Marine Systems 35:249–268, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0924-7963(02)00130-6.
  31. Jan, S., J. Wang, Y.J. Yang, C.-C. Hung, C.-S. Chern, G. Gawarkiewicz, R.-C. Lien, L. Centurioni, J.-Y. Kuo, and B. Wang. 2013. Observations of a freshwater pulse induced by Typhoon Morakot off the northern coast of Taiwan in August 2009. Journal of Marine Research 71:19–46, https://doi.org/​10.1357/002224013807343452.
  32. Jan, S., Y.J. Yang, J. Wang, V. Mensah, T.-H. Kuo, M.-D. Chiou, C.-S. Chern, M.-H. Chang, and H. Chien. 2015. Large variability of the Kuroshio at 23.75°N east of Taiwan. Journal of Geophysical Research 120:1,825–1,840, https://doi.org/​10.1002/2014JC010614.
  33. Johns, W.E., T.N. Lee, D. Zhang, R. Zantopp, C.-T. Liu, and Y. Yang. 2001. The Kuroshio east of Taiwan: Moored transport observations from the WOCE PCM-1 array. Journal of Physical Oceanography 31:1,031–1,053, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0485(2001)031​<1031:TKEOTM>2.0.CO;2.
  34. Kakinoki, K., S. Imawaki, H. Uchida, H. Nakamura, K. Ichikawa, S. Umatani, A. Nishina, H. Ichikawa, and M. Wimbush. 2008. Variations of Kuroshio geostrophic transport south of Japan estimated from long-term IES observations. Journal of Oceanography 64:373–384, https://doi.org/​10.1007/s10872-008-0030-4.
  35. Kawabe, M. 1988. Variability of Kuroshio velocity assessed from the sea-level difference between Naze and Nishinoomote. Journal of Oceanography 44:293–304, https://doi.org/​10.1007/BF02302572.
  36. Kawabe, M. 1995. Variations of current path, velocity, and volume transport of the Kuroshio in relation with the large meander. Journal of Physical Oceanography 25:3,103–3,117, https://doi.org/​10.1175/1520-0485(1995)025<3103:VOCPVA>​2.0.CO;2.
  37. Kawabe, M. 2005. Variations of the Kuroshio in the southern region of Japan: Conditions for large meander of the Kuroshio. Journal of Oceanography 61:529–537, https://doi.org/​10.1007/s10872-005-0060-0.
  38. Kitagawa, T., Y. Kato, M.J. Miller, Y. Sasai, H. Sasaki, and S. Kimura. 2010. The restricted spawning area and season of Pacific bluefin tuna facilitate use of nursery areas: A modeling approach to larval and juvenile dispersal processes. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 393(1):23–31, https://doi.org/10.1016/​j.jembe.2010.06.016.
  39. Lee, I.-H., W.-S. Chuang, and D.-P. Wang. 2003. Structure and propagation of a large cyclonic eddy in the western North Pacific from analysis of XBT and altimetry data and numerical simulation. Terrestrial, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences 14(2):183–200.
  40. Lee, T.N., and L.P. Atkinson. 1983. Low-frequency current and temperature variability from Gulf Stream frontal eddies and atmospheric forcing along the southeast US outer continental shelf. Journal of Geophysical Research 88(C8):4,541–4,567, https://doi.org/10.1029/JC088iC08p04541
  41. Lie, H.-J., C.-H. Cho, J.-H. Lee, P. Niiler, and J.-H. Hu. 1998. Separation of the Kuroshio water and its penetration onto the continental shelf west of Kyushu. Journal of Geophysical Research 103(C2):2,963–2,976, https://doi.org/​10.1029/97JC03288.
  42. Lien, R.-C., B. Ma, Y.-H. Cheng, C.-R. Ho, B. Qiu, C.M. Lee, and M.-H. Chang. 2014. Modulation of Kuroshio transport by mesoscale eddies at the Luzon Strait entrance. Journal of Geophysical Research 119:2,129–2,142, https://doi.org/​10.1002/2013JC009548.
  43. Lien, R.-C., B. Ma, C.M. Lee, T.B. Sanford, V. Mensah, L.R. Centurioni, B.D. Cornuelle, G. Gopalakrishnan, A.L. Gordon, M.-H. Chang, and others. 2015. The Kuroshio and Luzon Undercurrent east of Luzon Island. Oceanography 28(4):54–63, https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2015.81.
  44. Lien, R.-C., T.B. Sanford, S. Jan, M.-H. Chang, and B. Ma. 2013. Internal tides on the East China Sea continental slope. Journal of Marine Research 71:151–185, https://doi.org/​10.1357/002224013807343461.
  45. Meinen, C.S., D.S. Luther, D.R. Watts, K.L. Tracey, A.D. Chave, and J. Richman. 2002. Combining inverted echo sounder and horizontal electric field recorder measurements to obtain absolute velocity profiles. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology 19:1,653–1,664, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0426(2002)019<1653:CIESAH>2.0.CO;2.
  46. Na, H., M. Wimbush, J.-H. Park, H. Nakamura, and A. Nishina. 2014. Observations of flow variability through the Kerama Gap between the East China Sea and the northwestern Pacific. Journal of Geophysical Research 119:689–703, https://doi.org/10.1002/2013JC008899
  47. Nakamura, H., T. Yamashiro, A. Nishina, and H. Ichikawa. 2006. Time-frequency variability of Kuroshio meanders in Tokara Strait. Geophysical Research Letters 33, L21605, https://doi.org/​10.1029/2006GL027516.
  48. Niiler, P.P. 2001. The world ocean surface circulation. Pp. 193–204 in Ocean Circulation and Climate. G. Siedler, J. Church, and J. Gould, eds, International Geophysics Series, Academic Press.
  49. Oey, L.-Y., Y.-C. Hsin, and C.-R. Wu. 2010. Why does the Kuroshio northeast of Taiwan shift shelfward in winter? Ocean Dynamics 60:413–426, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-009-0259-5.
  50. Park, J.-H., and D. Farmer. 2013. Effects of Kuroshio intrusions on nonlinear internal waves in the South China Sea during winter. Journal of Geophysical Research 118:7,081–7,094, https://doi.org/10.1002/2013JC008983.
  51. Pazan, S.E., and P.P. Niiler. 2001. Recovery of near-surface velocity from undrogued drifters. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology 18(3):476–489, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0426(2001)018<0476:RONSVF>2.0.CO;2.
  52. Qiu, B. 1999. Seasonal eddy field modulation of the North Pacific subtropical countercurrent: TOPEX/POSEIDON observations and theory. Journal of Physical Oceanography 29:2,471–2,486, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0485(1999)029​<2471:SEFMOT>2.0.CO;2.
  53. Rudnick, D.L., S. Jan, L. Centurioni C.M. Lee, R.C. Lien, J. Wang, D.K. Lee, R.S. Tseng, Y.Y. Kim, and C.S. Chern. 2011. Seasonal and mesoscale variability of the Kuroshio near its origin. Oceanography 24:52–63, https://doi.org/​10.5670/oceanog.2011.94.
  54. Sanford, T.B., J.H. Dunlap, J.A. Carlson, D.C. Webb and J.B. Girton. 2005. Autonomous velocity and density profiler: EM-APEX. Pp. 152–156 in Proceedings of the IEEE/OES Eighth Working Conference on Current Measurement Technology, June 28–29, 2005. 
  55. Soeyanto, E., X. Guo, J. Ono, and Y. Miyazawa. 2014. Interannual variations of Kuroshio transport in the East China Sea and its relation to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and mesoscale eddies. Journal of Geophysical Research 119:3,595–3,616, https://doi.org/10.1002/2013JC009529.
  56. Solomon, H. 1978. Occurrence of small “trigger” meanders in the Kuroshio off southern Kyushu. Journal of the Oceanographical Society of Japan 34:81–84, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02109256.
  57. Szuts, Z.B. 2012. Using motionally-induced electric signals to indirectly measure ocean velocity: Instrumental and theoretical developments. Progress in Oceanography 96(1):108–127, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2011.11.014.
  58. Tang, T.Y., and Y.J. Yang. 1993. Low frequency current variability on the shelf northeast of Taiwan. Journal of Oceanography 49:193–210, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02237288.
  59. Teague, W.J., and G.A. Jacobs. 2000. Current observations on the development of the Yellow Sea Warm Current. Journal of Geophysical Research 105:3,401–3,411, https://doi.org/​10.1029/1999JC900301
  60. Teague, W.J., G.A. Jacobs, D.S. Ko, T.Y. Tang, K.-I. Chang, and M.-S. Suk. 2003. Connectivity of the Taiwan, Cheju and Korea Straits. Continental Shelf Research 23:63–77, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0278-4343(02)00150-4.
  61. Tsai, C.-J., M. Andres, S. Jan, V. Mensah, T.B. Sanford, R.-C. Lien, and C. Lee. 2015. Eddy-Kuroshio interaction processes revealed by mooring observations off Taiwan and Luzon. Geophysical Research Letters 42:8,098–8,105, https://doi.org/​10.1002/2015GL065814.
  62. Tsai, Y., C.-S. Chern, S. Jan, and J. Wang. 2013. Numerical study of cold dome variability induced by Typhoon Morakot (2009) off Northeastern Taiwan. Journal of Marine Research 71:109–132, https://doi.org/10.1357/002224013807343434
  63. Usui, N., H. Tsujino, H. Nakano, Y. Fujii, and M. Kamachi. 2011. Decay mechanism of the 2004/05 Kuroshio large meander. Journal of Geophysical Research 116, C10010, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JC007009.
  64. Usui, N., H. Tsujino, H. Nakano, and S. Matsumoto. 2013. Long-term variability of the Kuroshio path south of Japan. Journal of Oceanography 69:647–670, https://doi.org/​10.1007/s10872-013-0197-1.
  65. Wu, L., W. Cai, L. Zhang, H. Nakamura, A. Timmermann, T. Joyce, M.J. McPhaden, M. Alexander, B. Qiu, M. Visbeck, P. Chang, and B. Giese. 2012. Enhanced warming over the global subtropical western boundary currents. Nature Climate Change 2:161–166, https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate1353.
  66. Vélez-Belchí, P., L.R. Centurioni, D.-K. Lee, S. Jan, and P.P. Niiler. 2013. Eddy induced Kuroshio intrusions onto the continental shelf of the East China Sea. Journal of Marine Research 71:83–108, https://doi.org/10.1357/002224013807343470.
  67. Yang, K.-C., J. Wang, C.M. Lee, B. Ma, R.-C. Lien, S. Jan, Y.J. Yang, and M.-H. Chang. 2015. Two mechanisms cause dual velocity maxima in the Kuroshio east of Taiwan. Oceanography 28(4):64–73, https://doi.org/​10.5670/oceanog.2015.82.
  68. Yang, Y.J., S. Jan, M.-H. Chang, J. Wang, V. Mensah, T.-H. Kuo, C.-J. Tsai, C.-Y. Lee, M. Andres, L.R. Centurioni, and others. 2015. Mean structure and fluctuations of the Kuroshio East of Taiwan from in situ and remote observations. Oceanography 28(4):74–83, https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2015.83.
  69. Zhang, D., W.E. Johns, T.N. Lee, C.-T. Liu, and R. Zantopp. 2001. The Kuroshio east of Taiwan: Modes of variability and relationship to interior meso-scale eddies. Journal of Physical Oceanography 31:1,054–1,074, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0485(2001)031​<1054:TKEOTM>2.0.CO;2.
  70. Zhou, F., H. Xue, D. Huang, J. Xuan, X. Ni, P. Xiu, and Q. Hao. 2015. Crossshelf exchange in the shelf of the East China Sea. Journal of Geophysical Research 120:1,545–1,572, https://doi.org/​10.1002/2014JC010567.
  71. Zhu, X.-H., I.-S. Han, J.-H. Park, H. Ichikawa, K. Murakami, A. Kaneko, and A. Ostrovskii. 2003. The northeastward current southeast of Okinawa Island observed during November 2000 to August 2001. Geophysical Research Letters 30, 1071, https://doi.org/10.1029/2002GL015867.
Copyright & Usage

This is an open access article made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format as long as users cite the materials appropriately, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate the changes that were made to the original content. Images, animations, videos, or other third-party material used in articles are included in the Creative Commons license unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If the material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission directly from the license holder to reproduce the material.