Influence of Kuroshio Flow on the Horizontal Distribution of North Pacific Intermediate Water in the Shikoku Basin

The influence of the Kuroshio flow on the horizontal distribution of North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW) in the Shikoku Basin is examined based upon observational data collected by the training vessel “Seisui-maru” of Mie University together with oceanographic data compiled by the Japan Oceanographic Data Center (JODC). Although it has been stated that the NPIW with salinity less than 34.2 psu had been confined to the south of the Kuroshio main axis along the PT (KJ) Line on the eastern side of the Izu Ridge, a similar tendency can be detected on the western side of the Izu Ridge. Namely, the NPIW on the southern side of the Kuroshio main axis in the Shihoku Basin does not indicate a tendency to go northward across the Kuroshio main axis without an increase in salinity of more than 34.2 psu. However, the JODC data show that less saline water (<34.2 psu) was present on the northern side of the Kuroshio main axis south of the Kii Peninsula in May 1992. Satellite observed sea surface temperature (SST) data suggested that the Kuroshio approaches the Kii Peninsula after forming a small meander off Kyushu and some intrusions of the NPIW into the northern coastal side of the Kuroshio main axis occurred in this period. It is concluded that intrusion of the NPIW with salinity less than 34.2 psu to the northern coastal side through the Kuroshio main axis occurred during the decay period of the small meander path in May 1992. Based on these observational results, the source of the salinity minimum water on the northern coastal side of the Kuroshio main axis is discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Hydrographic Structure and Transport of Intermediate Water in the Kuroshio Region off the Boso Peninsula, Japan

Hydrographic structure and transport of intermediate water were observed in the Kuroshio region south of Japan, focusing on the 26.6–27.5σ_θ density in six cruises from May 1998 through September 2001. In the section off the Boso Peninsula where the Kuroshio exfoliates eastward, the intermediate water was clearly clustered into three groups meridionally composed of the coastal water, the Kuroshio water and the offshore water. Compared with the Kuroshio water characterized by warm, salty water transported by the Kuroshio, the coastal and offshore waters significantly degenerated due to mixing with cold, fresh waters originated from the subarctic region: the former was affected by alongshore spread of the coastal Oyashio and the latter by direct intrusion of the new North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW) into the southern side of the Kuroshio current axis. Particularly the offshore water showed higher apparent oxygen utilization (AOU) in layers deeper than 26.9σ_θ while it showed lower AOU in layers shallower than 26.9σ_θ, which indicated that colder, fresher and higher AOU water was distributed on the southeastern side of the Kuroshio in deeper layers. In May 1998, the Oyashio-Kuroshio mixing ratio was estimated to be typically 2:8 for the offshore water on the assumption of isopycnal mixing. Moreover, northeastward volume transport of the Kuroshio water was obtained from geostrophic velocity fields adjusted to lowered acoustic Doppler current profiler (LADCP) data to yield 6.1 Sv at 26.6–26.9σ_θ and 11.8 Sv at 26.9–27.5 σ_θ. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Variations of the Kuroshio Axis South of Kyushu in Relation to the Large Meander of the Kuroshio

The characteristics of the Kuroshio axis south of Kyushu, which meanders almost sinusoidally, are clarified in relation to the large meander of the Kuroshio by analyzing water temperature data during 1961–95 and sea level during 1984–95. The shape of the Kuroshio axis south of Kyushu is classified into three categories of small, medium, and large amplitude of meander. The small amplitude category occupies more than a half of the large-meander (LM) period, while the medium amplitude category takes up more than a half of the non-large-meander (NLM) period. Therefore, the amplitude and, in turn, the curvature of the Kuroshio axis is smaller on average during the LM period than the NLM period. The mean Kuroshio axis during the LM period is located farther north at every longitude south of Kyushu than during the NLM period, with a slight difference west of the Tokara Islands and a large difference to the east. A northward shift of the Kuroshio axis in particular east of the Tokara Islands induces small amplitude and curvature of the meandering shape during the LM period. During the NLM period, the meandering shape and position south of Kyushu change little with Kuroshio volume transport. In the LM formation stage, the variation of the Kuroshio axis is small west of the Tokara Islands but large to the east due to a small meander of the Kuroshio. In the LM decay stage, the Kuroshio meanders greatly south of Kyushu and is located stably near the coast southeast of Kyushu. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Intraannual variability of sea level around Tosa Bay

Through analysis of monthly in situ hydrographic, tide gauge, altimetry and Kuroshio axis data for the years 1993–2001, the intraannual variability of sea level around Tosa Bay, Japan, with periods of 2–12 months is examined together with the intraannual variability of the Kuroshio south of the bay. It is shown that the intraannual variation of steric height on the slope in Tosa Bay can account for that of sea level at the coast around the bay as well as on this slope. It is found that the steric height (or sea level) variation on the slope in this bay is mainly controlled by the subsurface thermal variation correlated with the Kuroshio variation off Cape Ashizuri, the western edge of Tosa Bay. That is, when the nearshore Kuroshio velocity south of the cape is intensified [weakened] concurrently with the northward [southward] displacement of the current axis, temperature in an entire water column decreases [increases] simultaneously, mainly due to the upward [downward] displacement of isotherms, coincident with that of the main thermocline. It follows that the steric height (or sea level) decreases [increases].     

Influence of the Kuroshio Fluctuations on Sea Level Variations along the South Coast of Japan

The correlation between the Kuroshio and coastal sea level south of Japan has been examined using the altimetry and tide gauge data during the period 1992–2000. The sea level varies uniformly in a region bounded by the coast and the mean Kuroshio axis, which stretches for several hundred kilometers along the coast. These variations are related with the Kuroshio velocity, as coastal sea level decreases (or increases) when the Kuroshio is faster (or slower). To the east of the Kii Peninsula, where sea level variations are different from these to the west, movement of the Kuroshio axis additionally affects coastal sea level variations.     

利用被动示踪物模拟对黑潮入侵南海的数值研究

由于缺少观测数据和对黑潮水准确定义,很难识别出从太平洋入侵到南海的黑潮水团。本文基于一个经过观测验证的三维模式MITgcm,利用被动示踪物标记黑潮水,研究了入侵南海的黑潮水的时空变化。研究表明,在冬季,黑潮水入侵的范围最广,几乎占据了18°N-23°N和114°E-121°E的区域;并有一个分支进入台湾海峡;黑潮入侵的范围随深度增加逐渐减小。在夏季,黑潮水被限制在118°E以东,且没有分支进入台湾海峡;入侵的范围从海面到约205米是增大的,之后随深度增加逐渐减小。通过分析从2003年到2012年黑潮入侵的年际变化,与厄尔尼诺年和正常年相比,冬季黑潮入侵后向台湾海峡的分支在拉尼娜年是最弱的,这可能与中国大陆东南方向的风应力旋度有关。通过吕宋海峡的黑潮入侵通量（KIT）是西向的,其年平均值约为-3.86×10⁶ m³/s,大于吕宋海峡通量（LST,约-3.15×10⁶ m³/s）。250米以上的KIT约占了全深度通量的60-80%。此外,从2003年到2012年KIT与Niño 3.4指数的相关系数到达0.41,小于LST与Niño 3.4指数的相关系数0.78。     

Influence of Mesoscale Eddies on Variations of the Kuroshio Path South of Japan

The influences of mesoscale eddies on variations of the Kuroshio path south of Japan have been investigated using time series of the Kuroshio axis location and altimeter-derived sea surface height maps for a period of seven years from 1993 to 1999, when the Kuroshio followed its non-large meander path. It was found that both the cyclonic and anticyclonic eddies may interact with the Kuroshio and trigger short-term meanders of the Kuroshio path, although not all eddies that approached or collided with the Kuroshio formed meanders. An anticyclonic eddy that revolves clockwise in a region south of Shikoku and Cape Shionomisaki with a period of about 5–6 months was found to propagate westward along about 30°N and collide with the Kuroshio in the east of Kyushu or south of Shikoku. This collision sometimes triggers meanders which propagate over the whole region south of Japan. The eddy was advected downstream, generating a meander on the downstream side to the east of Cape Shionomisaki. After the eddy passed Cape Shionomisaki, it detached from the Kuroshio and started to move westward again. Sometimes the eddy merges with other anticyclonic eddies traveling from the east. Coalescence of cyclonic eddies, which are also generated in the Kuroshio Extension region and propagate westward in the Kuroshio recirculation region south of Japan, into the Kuroshio in the east of Kyushu, also triggers meanders which mainly propagate only in a region west of Cape Shionomisaki. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Intrusion events of the intermediate Oyashio Water into Sagami Bay, Japan

Intermediate intrusion of low salinity water (LSW) into Sagami Bay was investigated on the basis of CTD data taken in Sagami Bay and off the Boso Peninsula in 1993–1994. In October 1993, water of low temperature (<7.0°C), low salinity (<34.20 psu) and high dissolved oxygen concentration (>3.5 ml I⁻¹) intruded along the isopycnal surface of {ie29-1} at depths of 320–500 m from the Oshima East Channel to the center of the bay. On the other hand, the LSW was absent in Sagami Bay in the period of September–November 1994, though it was always found to the south off the Boso Peninsula. Salinity and dissolved oxygen distributions on relevant isopycnal surfaces and water characteristics of LSW cores revealed that the LSW intruded from the south off the Boso Peninsula to Sagami Bay through the Oshima East Channel. The LSW cores were distributed on the continental slope along 500–1000 m isobaths and its onshore-offshore scales were two to three times the internal deformation radius. Initial phosphate concentrations in the LSW revealed its origin in the northern seas. These facts suggest that the observed LSW is the submerged Oyashio Water and it flows southwestward along the continental slope as a density current in the rotating fluid. The variation of the LSW near the center of Sagami Bay is closely related to the Kuroshio flow path. The duration of LSW in Sagami Bay is 0.5 to 1.5 months.     

Mean and Temporal Variability in Kuroshio Geostrophic Transport South of Taiwan (1993–2001)

Observations of the Kuroshio south of Taiwan have been carried out on a quarterly basis since late 1992 as part of the basin-wide High Resolution expendable bathythermograph/expendable conductivity-temperature-depth (XBT/XCTD) network. Mean geostrophic transport in the Kuroshio, 0–800 m, from 34 cruises is 22.0 Sv ± 1.5, consistent with previous results from moorings and geostrophic calculations in the upstream Kuroshio region. The mean core of the current has speed about 90 cm s⁻¹ and is located close to Taiwan. At this location the Kuroshio appears to be confined mainly to the upper 700 m, and there is no evident tight recirculation of the current. Eddy variability is substantial, and large eddies can be seen propagating westward for thousands of kilometers in TOPEX/Poseidon altimetric data, impinging on the current and altering its structure and transport. The annual range in transport is about 8 Sv ± 6, with maximum in summer. Interannual variability is about 12 Sv ± 6, with transport maxima in 1995 and 2000 and a minimum in 1997–1998. Interannual variability in the upstream Kuroshio may be uncorrelated with that in the downstream region south of Japan, where the transport is much greater. Our quarterly sampling aliases high frequency variability of the current, and an improved boundary-current observation program would include more frequent transects and occasional deeper measurements. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Operational Data Assimilation System for the Kuroshio South of Japan: Reanalysis and Validation

We describe an operational ocean data assimilation system for the Kuroshio and its validation using a nine-year reanalysis (historical run from 1993 to 2001) dataset of upper-ocean state estimation in the North Pacific. The horizontal structure of volume transport of the Ryukyu Current System (RCS) is shown from the reanalysis: The RCS is connected to the flow of the subtropical gyre, and its volume transport gradually increases from south-east of Okinawa (5–10 Sv) to the east of Amami-Ohshima Island (20 Sv). Comparing the reanalysis with independent observations on the southeast slope of the Amami-Ohshima Island indicates that the root mean square differences (RMSDs) are 0.076 (0.037) m/s in the period of December 1998 to November 1999 (November 1999 to November 2000) respectively. The reanalysis field has a bias (3.1 Sv) of the volume transport of the RCS and the RMSD (3.5 Sv) which is larger than the observed variability (2.81 Sv). Surface velocity and the Kuroshio axis south of Japan are also examined. Comparison of the reanalysis and ADCP data gave maximum RMSD of 0.749 (0.271) m/s in the strong (weak) current regions, respectively. The annual mean value of the axis error is 19 km in 1998. The RMSD of the error is at most 50 km, in 294 cases in the observation period, which is smaller than the observed root mean square variability of the axis (64 km). This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

台湾以东黑潮路径识别与变化规律

为研究对中国台湾以东海域黑潮路径及其变化,本文基于法国空间局AVISO中心提供的1993—2015年的卫星遥感海表流场逐日资料,对121°—125°E,22.4°—25°N海域黑潮路径进行了逐日识别,得到了共计23年累计8400天的台湾以东黑潮流轴的逐日路径,并研究其在不同纬度的流轴位置及其对应的表面黑潮流量的时空变化规律。主要结论如下:(1)采用模糊C-均值聚类法对台湾以东黑潮流轴路径进行聚类分析,发现台湾以东黑潮流轴在24°N以南出现明显摆动,形成正常和偏东两种路径;黑潮流轴存在明显的时间变化,流轴偏东现象年平均大约出现25次,大致每隔3年出现一次偏东较少的现象,各月流轴偏东次数以4、5月最少,10月至次年3月较多;(2)台湾以东黑潮表面流量大小在6.2—8.3×104m2/s之间;总体上来说,纬度越高流量越大,在23.5°N左右范围内存在一个流量低值中心;在24.3°N以北流量总体较大,且增长趋势稳定,同时表面流量大小具有较强的季节和年际变化特征。     

Variability of Upper Ocean Heat Balance in the Shikoku Basin during the Ocean Mixed Layer Experiment (OMLET)

The heat balance of the surface layer in the vicinity of the former Ocean Weather Station “Tango” (OWS-T; 29°N, 135°E), where a large amount of heat is transported by the Kuroshio and transferred to the atmosphere, was studied by during Ocean Mixed Layer Experiment (OMLET) as an oceanographic component of the Japanese World Climate Research Program (1987–1991). Temperature and velocity in the upper ocean measured using a surface moored buoy system deployed by the Ocean Research Institute, the University of Tokyo, in total 668 days of four time series namely the periods of April 1988–November 1988 (OMELET-88), August 1989–February 1990 (OMLET-89), April 1990–September 1990 (OMLET-901) and September 1990–January 1991 (OMLET-902). We have analyzed the moored buoy data of the upper 100 m for the latter three time series (OMLET-89, -901 and -902) and here we discuss the heat balance of the upper 100 m, in combination with surface heat flux and oceanographic data provided by the Japan Meteorological Agency. A large fluctuation of oceanic heat convergence/divergence of 200–300 W/m² in amplitude with predominant period of 20–30 days occurred in the first half of OMLET-89 period, which was just the early stage in the formation process of a large meander path of the Kuroshio. A large amount of heat convergence of 71 and 79 W/m² on average was detected in observation period of OMLET-89 and -901, respectively. During OMLET-902, relatively small heat convergence of 13 W/m² was obtained. It is suggested that these variations of oceanic heat convergence in this region were closely related to the fluctuation of the Kuroshio axis to the south of Japan. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Surface current and vertical thermal structure on the continental slope in Tosa Bay

In order to specify a vertical thermal structure related to surface current variation on the continental slope in Tosa Bay, Japan, we analyzed monthly regular hydrographic measurements in the years 1991–2004. Subsurface temperature below 200 m on the slope was found to vary synchronously with the vertical displacement of the main thermocline around 200 m. It is shown that the vertical-averaged temperature below 200 m is significantly correlated with an along-isobath/southwestward surface current velocity on the slope. This correlation indicates that when a strong (weak) southwestward surface current is observed, temperature below 200 m decreases (increases) simultaneously, that is, isotherms below the 200 m are displaced upward (downward) together with the main thermocline. Moreover, when the strong southwestward flow is detected, across-isobath isotherms around 200 m slope upward toward the offshore direction. Furthermore, it is suggested that as the Kuroshio axis moves offshore south of the bay, the southwestward flow tends to be weakened by the combined effect of other Kuroshio parameters such as transport and stream width as well as the Kuroshio axis position. As a result, it is inferred that the correlation between the surface current and subsurface temperature can be interpreted in terms of the formation and decay of an anticlockwise circulation interacting with a cold eddy.     

Coastal Disturbance in Sea Level Propagating along the South Coast of Japan and Its Impact on the Kuroshio

The coastal sea level propagating westward along the south coast of Japan and the impact of the disturbance on the generation of the Kuroshio small meander have been examined. The propagation occurs in sea level variations for periods shorter than 10 days and is remarkable for periods of 4–6 days. Characteristics of the 4–6 day component have been studied using the extended empirical orthogonal function (EEOF). The first and second modes of EEOF are almost in-phase throughout the south coast of Japan. The higher four modes of EEOF are significantly excited when the Kuroshio takes the non-large-meander path, and propagate westward with phase speeds of 2.8 m s⁻¹ (third and fourth modes) and 1.6 m s⁻¹ (fifth and sixth modes) in the Kuroshio region west of Mera in the Boso Peninsula. The analysis shows that more than 70% of the small meanders generate in two months after a significant propagating disturbance reaches south of Kyushu when the velocity of the Kuroshio is high. This effect of coastal disturbance is examined by numerical experiments with a 2.5-layer model in which coastal disturbance is excited by vertical displacement of the upper interface. The result is that offshore displacement of the Kuroshio occurs southeast of Kyushu only in the case of significant upward displacement of the interface under the influence of a high Kuroshio velocity. The significant coastal disturbance, which is associated with upward displacement of the density interface, and a high Kuroshio velocity can therefore be important factors in generating small meanders.     

2001年冬春转换期间南海东北部水文和环流特征

根据2001年3月份南海东北部航次调查温、盐资料,分析了2001年冬末春初南海东北部温、盐结构和环流的特征.分析结果表明:观测期间南海东北部环流主要受一次海盆尺度气旋型冷环流支配,冷环流呈现双核结构,垂向尺度接近1000 m.吕宋海峡内侧断面的水交换在600 m以浅海水流入南海,在断面南部(20°N以南)中层和深层有流出,断面法向地转流向西净输运量为6.9×106m3/s;直接的黑潮入侵不超过120.5°E,但有部分的黑潮水沿陆坡达到台湾岛西南部海域,并更有一部分逸入东沙岛以西海域,与南海水混合变性.     

Detecting fluctuations of the Kuroshio axis south of Japan using TOPEX/POSEIDON altimeter data

Sea surface dynamic topography (SSDT) can be divided into temporal mean SSDT and fluctuation SSDT. The former is approximated with a climatological mean SSDT and the latter is derived from satellite altimetry data, to give an approximated total SSDT (called a composite SSDT). The method is applied to detecting fluctuations of the Kuroshio axis south of Japan using TOPEX/POSEIDON altimeter data from the first year mission in 1992–1993. The fluctuation SSDT averaged over a wide area south of Japan clearly shows an annual cycle with an amplitude of about 15 cm. Temporal changes of SSDT along a subsatellite track crossing the Kuroshio compare moderately well with those estimated from repeated hydrographic observations, although there is a discrepancy of unknown origin. The composite SSDT also compares well with SSDT estimated from the same hydrographic data. Horizontal distribution of the surface geostrophic velocity component normal to subsatellite tracks is derived every ten days from the composite SSDT. Most locations of estimated strong eastward geostrophic velocities coincide well with locations of the Kuroshio axis determined every 15 days fromin situ surface velocity measurements on various vessels; for example, a fairly large meander of the Kuroshio south of Honshu is clearly detected. It is concluded that the composite SSDT can be used reliably to detect fluctuations of the Kuroshio axis south of Japan.     

The Kuroshio east of Taiwan and the currents east of the Ryūkūy-guntōduring October of 1995

On the basis of hydrographic data obtained during two October cruises of 1995, a modified inverse method is used to compute the Kuroshio east of Taiwan and the currents east of the Ryukyu-gunto.The net northward volume transport(VT) of the Kuroshio through Section TK₂-K₂ southeast of Taiwan is about 57.8×10⁶ m³/s.There are four current cores of the Kuroshio at Section TK₂-K₂.Its main core is near the south of Taiwan, and its maximum speed is about 257 cm/s at the surface.After the Kuroshio flows through Section TK₂-K₂, there are three branches of the Kuroshio.The main branch of the Kuroshio flows northward into Section TKa east of Su''ao.The second branch of the Kuroshio flows northward through Section TKa and then enters the East China Sea through the region between Yonakunijima and Iriomote-shima.The net northward VT of the Kuroshio through Section TK4 is about 21.6×10⁶ m³/s.The eastern branch of the Kuroshio flows northeastward through the region between a stronger cyclonic eddy and a recirculating anticyclonic gyre, and then flows continuously northeastward to the region east of the Ryūkyū-guntō and becomes a part of the origin of the western boundary current east of the Ryūkyū-guntō.Another part of the origin of the western boundary current east of the Ryūkyū-guntō comes from a recirculating anticyclonic gyre.From the above, in the regions east of Taiwan end east of the Ryūkyū-guntō the pattern of circulation during October of 1995 differs from the pattern of circulation during early summer of 1985.There are several eddies of different scales in this computational region.For example, there is a meso-scale stronger cyclonic eddy whose center is located at about 23°N, 124°20''E.     

TheKyucho in Sukumo Bay induced by Kuroshio warm filament intrusion

Surface temperature data obtained in and out of the bay all year round from March 1990 through February 1991, except from July through October 1990 were analyzed to investigate seasonal variability of theKyucho in Sukumo Bay, southwest of Shikoku, Japan. TheKyucho periodically occurs in the bay during both the warming period of March through June and the cooding period of November through February. The onset period of theKyucho is 8–15 days during the warming period and 4–14 days during the cooling period, giving an average of about 10 and 8 days, respectively. The position of the Kuroshio axis offshore in the south of Cape Ashizuri-misaki is a significant factor with theKyucho in the bay. Thermal infrared images taken by the NOAA-11 in the sea off east of Kyushu were also analyzed during the two observation periods. It is clearly found that a warm filament derived from the Kuroshio (KWF) advects northeast to Cape Ashizurimisaki along the Kuroshio, then encounters the southwest coast of Shikoku, followed by inducing theKyucho in the bay by the warm water intrusion. The alongshelf dimension of the KWFs is approximately 50–100 km, and the cross-shelf distance from the western edge of the KWFs to that of the body of the east Kuroshio is about 30–50 km. The KWF sometimes closely approaches to the east coast of Kyushu. An onshore meander of the Kuroshio front around Cape Toimisaki might grow into a KWF in the sea off east of Kyushu.     

Transition processes between the three typical paths of the Kuroshio

Transitions between the three typical paths of the Kuroshio south of Japan (the nearshore and offshore non-large-meander paths and the large-meander path) are described using sea level data at Miyake-jima and HachijÔ-jima in the Izu Islands and temperature data at a depth of 200 m observed from 1964 to 1975 and in 1980.In transitions between the nearshore and offshore non-large-meander paths the variation of the Kuroshio path occurs first in the region off Enshû-nada between the Kii Peninsula and the Izu Ridge and subsequently over the ridge. In the nearshore to offshore transition the offshore displacement of the path occurs first off Enshû-nada and then develops southeastwardly in the direction of HachijÔ-jima. In the reverse transition shoreward displacement occurs first off Enshû-nada and then throughout the region west and east of the Izu Ridge. The position of the Kuroshio south of Cape Shiono-misaki (the southernmost tip of the Kii Peninsula) is almost fixed near the coast throughout these transition periods, and significant variations of the Kuroshio path only occur east of the cape. The nearshore to offshore and offshore to nearshore transitions can be estimated to take about 25 and 35 days, respectively, during which the variation of the Kuroshio path over the Izu Ridge occurs for the last 11 and 25 days.The transitions between the non-large-meander and large-meander paths show that the large-meander path is mostly formed from the nearshore non-large-meander path and always changes to the offshore non-large-meander path.     

A case study of a Kuroshio main path cut-off event and impacts on the South China Sea in fall-winter 2013–2014

This study examines a Kuroshio main path(KMP) cut-off event east of Taiwan Island occurred in fall-winter2013–2014 and its impacts on the South China Sea(SCS) by analyzing satellite altimetry and mooring observations. Satellite altimeter sea level anomaly(SLA) images reveal a complete process that a huge cyclonic eddy(CE) from the Pacific collided with the Kuroshio and the western boundary from 15 October 2013 to 15 January 2014. Mooring observations evidenced that the Kuroshio upper ocean volume transport was cut off more than 82% from 17×106 m~3/s in September to 3×106 m~3/s in November 2013. The KMP cut-off event caused the Kuroshio branching and intruding into the SCS and strengthened the eddy kinetic energy in the northern SCS west of the Luzon Strait. Using the total momentum as a dynamic criterion to determine the role of eddy collision with the Kuroshio reasonably explains the KMP cut-off event.