Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Blocking of the Kuroshio Large Meander by Baroclinic Interaction with the Izu Ridge

Humio Mitsudera Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan

Search for other papers by Humio Mitsudera in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Bunmei Taguchi Department of Meteorology, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii

Search for other papers by Bunmei Taguchi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Takuji Waseda Department of Environmental and Ocean Engineering, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

Search for other papers by Takuji Waseda in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
Yasushi Yoshikawa Institute of Observational Research for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Yokosuka, Japan

Search for other papers by Yasushi Yoshikawa in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Print Publication:
01 Nov 2006
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JPO2945.1
Page(s):
2042–2059
Restricted access

Abstract

This paper discusses the role of the Izu Ridge in blocking the Kuroshio large meander from propagating eastward across the ridge. It is shown that a combination of the sloping bottom with baroclinicity in the Kuroshio flow is important for blocking of the large meander. It produces a cyclonic torque over the western slope of the ridge when the large meander impinges upon it. That is, the cyclonic torque is formed ahead of the large meander, which results in blocking and amplification of the meander upstream of the Izu Ridge. The baroclinicity of the Kuroshio over the ridge is caused by baroclinic topographic Rossby waves generated when the large meander encounters the ridge.

Corresponding author address: Humio Mitsudera, Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Nishi-8, Kita-19, Sapporo 060-0819, Japan. Email: humiom@lowtem.hokudai.ac.jp

Abstract

This paper discusses the role of the Izu Ridge in blocking the Kuroshio large meander from propagating eastward across the ridge. It is shown that a combination of the sloping bottom with baroclinicity in the Kuroshio flow is important for blocking of the large meander. It produces a cyclonic torque over the western slope of the ridge when the large meander impinges upon it. That is, the cyclonic torque is formed ahead of the large meander, which results in blocking and amplification of the meander upstream of the Izu Ridge. The baroclinicity of the Kuroshio over the ridge is caused by baroclinic topographic Rossby waves generated when the large meander encounters the ridge.

Corresponding author address: Humio Mitsudera, Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University, Nishi-8, Kita-19, Sapporo 060-0819, Japan. Email: humiom@lowtem.hokudai.ac.jp

Save
Cover Journal of Physical Oceanography
Journal of Physical Oceanography

  • Akitomo, K., T. Awaji, and N. Imasato, 1991: Kuroshio path variation south of Japan 1: Barotropic inflow-outflow model. J. Geophys. Res., 96 , 2549–2560.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Blumberg, A. F., and G. L. Mellor, 1987: A description of a three-dimensional coastal ocean circulation model. Three-Dimensional Coastal Ocean Models, N. Heaps, Ed., Vol. 4, Amer. Geophys. Union, 1–16.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Chao, S-Y., 1984: Bimodality of the Kuroshio. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 14 , 92–103.

  • Endoh, T., and T. Hibiya, 2000: Numerical study of the generation and propagation of trigger meanders of the Kuroshio south of Japan. J. Oceanogr., 56 , 406–418.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ezer, T., and G. L. Mellor, 1994: Diagnostic and prognostic calculations of the North Atlantic circulation and sea level using sigma coordinate ocean model. J. Geophys. Res., 99 , 14159–14171.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hellerman, S., and M. Rosenstein, 1983: Normal wind stress over the world ocean with error estimates. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 13 , 1093–1104.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ishida, A., Y. Kashino, H. Mitsudera, N. Yoshioka, and T. Kadokura, 1998: Preliminary results of global high-resolution general circulation model. J. Faculty Sci. Hokkaido Univ., Ser. VII, 11 , 441–460.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kagimoto, T., and T. Yamagata, 1997: Seasonal transport variations of the Kuroshio: An OGCM simulation. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 27 , 403–418.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kawabe, M., 1985: Sea level variations at the Izu Islands and typical stable paths of the Kuroshio. J. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 41 , 307–326.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Levitus, S., 1982: Climatological Atlas of the World Ocean. NOAA Prof. Paper 13, 173 pp. and 17 microfiche.

  • Masuda, A., 1982: An interpretation of bimodal character of the stable Kuroshio path. Deep-Sea Res., 29 , 471–484.

  • Masuda, S., and K. Akitomo, 2000: Effects of stratification and bottom topography on the Kuroshio path variation south of Japan. Part II: Path transition in a multiple equilibrium regime. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 30 , 1431–1449.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Mertz, G., and D. G. Wright, 1992: Interpretations of the JEBAR term. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 22 , 301–305.

  • Mitsudera, H., and R. Grimshaw, 1994: Capture and resonant forcing of solitary waves by the interaction of a baroclinic current with topography. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 24 , 2217–2244.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Mitsudera, H., T. Waseda, Y. Yoshikawa, and B. Taguchi, 2001: Anticyclonic eddies and Kuroshio meander formation. Geophys. Res. Lett., 28 , 2025–2028.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ohtsuka, K., 1978: On Kuroshio observation (in Japanese). Mar. Sci. Quart., 1 , 2. 98–105.

  • Sekine, Y., H. Ishii, and Y. Toba, 1985: Spin-up and spin-down process of the large cold water mass of the Kuroshio south of Japan. J. Oceangr. Soc. Japan, 41 , 207–212.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Shoji, D., 1972: The variation of the Kuroshio south of Japan. Kuroshio, H. Stommel and K. Yoshida, Eds., University of Washington Press, 217–236.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Warn, T., and B. Brasnett, 1983: The amplification and capture of atmospheric solitons by topography: A theory of the onset of regional blocking. J. Atmos. Sci., 40 , 28–38.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Waseda, T., H. Mitsudera, B. Taguchi, and Y. Yoshikawa, 2002: On the eddy-Kuroshio interaction: Evolution of the mesoscale eddy. J. Geophys. Res., 107 .3088, doi:10.1029/2000JC000756.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Waseda, T., H. Mitsudera, B. Taguchi, and Y. Yoshikawa, 2003: On the eddy-Kuroshio interaction: Meander formation process. J. Geophys. Res., 108 .3220, doi:10.1029/2002JC001583.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Waseda, T., H. Mitsudera, B. Taguchi, and K. Kutsuwada, 2005: Significance of high-frequency wind forcing in modelling the Kuroshio. J. Oceanogr., 61 , 539–548.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • White, W. B., and J. P. McCreary, 1976: The Kuroshio meander and its relationship to the large scale ocean circulation. Deep-Sea Res., 23 , 33–47.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Yasuda, I., J-H. Yoon, and N. Suginohara, 1985: Dynamics of the Kuroshio Large meander-barotropic model. J. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 41 , 259–273.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Yoon, J-H., and I. Yasuda, 1987: Dynamics of the Kuroshio meander: Two-layer model. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 17 , 66–81.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 388 168 78
PDF Downloads 125 47 1