Abstract
A meander-formation mechanism of the Kuroshio that involves anticyclonic eddies propagating from the Kuroshio Extension, is presented using the analysis of observations of the TOPEX/POSEIDON (T/P) altimeter data and in-situ data. Support of the mechanism comes also from a numerical simulation. In October 1997, a current meter mooring over the Izu Ridge at 500-m-depth captured large velocity fluctuations of about 50 cm s-1 that were associated with a strong anticyclonic eddy. The observations from T/P show that the anticyclonic eddy propagated westward and collided with the Kuroshio off Kyushu. At collision, the anticyclonic eddy coupled with a cyclonic circulation accompanied by a small meander and formed a vortex pair. They were then advected downstream and finally formed a large-meander-like path off the south coast of Honshu. The meander lasted for a few months. Subsequently, the anticyclonic eddy was detached, and the meander grew smaller in amplitude. Numerical experiments successfully simulate this interaction between the Kuroshio and anticyclonic eddies.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 2025-2028 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Geophysical Research Letters |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2001/05/15 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Geophysics
- General Earth and Planetary Sciences