On the stability of the Soya Warm Current

The stability of the Soya Warm Current is examined, in an attempt to explain the mechanism of the formation of the wave-like pattern seen in satellite infrared imagery in summer. A linear stability theory is applied to barotropic shear flows over a realistic bottom topography. Effects of bottom friction are also taken into consideration. For this current in summer, when volume transport is greatest, the possibility of barotropic instability is suggested. The most unstable waves obtained in this study have wavelengths of 60–80 km, periods of about 1. 5 days, and phase velocities of 45–55 cm sec^–1, which is in good agreement with observations.