Effects of Eddy Variability on the Circulation of the Japan/East Sea |
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Authors: | G A Jacobs P J Hogan K R Whitmer |
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Institution: | (1) Naval Research Laboratory, Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, U.S.A;(2) Stennis Space Center, Sverdrup Technology, Inc., Mississippi, U.S.A |
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Abstract: | The effect of mesoscale eddy variability on the Japan/East Sea mean circulation is examined from satellite altimeter data
and results from the Naval Research Laboratory Layered Ocean Model (NLOM). Sea surface height variations from the Geosat-Exact
Repeat Mission and TOPEX/POSEIDON altimeter satellites imply geostrophic velocities. At the satellite crossover points, the
total velocity and the Reynolds stress due to geostrophic mesoscale turbulence are calculated. After spatial interpolation
the momentum flux and effect on geostrophic balance indicates that the eddy variability aids in the transport of the Polar
Front and the separation of the East Korean Warm Current (EKWC). The NLOM results elucidate the impact of eddy variability
on the EKWC separation from the Korean coast. Eddy variability is suppressed by either increasing the model viscosity or decreasing
the model resolution. The simulations with decreased eddy variability indicate a northward overshoot of the EKWC. Only the
model simulation with sufficient eddy variability depicts the EKWC separating from the Korean coast at the observed latitude.
The NLOM simulations indicate mesoscale influence through upper ocean-topographic coupling.
This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date. |
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Keywords: | Japan Sea eddies altimeter numerical modeling Reynolds stress |
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