Seasonal variability of internal tides around the Korea strait: 3-D high-resolution model simulation

Abstract

This study investigates spatial and temporal variations in the generation and propagation of internal tides around the Korea Strait using a three-dimensional high resolution model (Regional Ocean Modeling System; ROMS). The model results were verified through comparison with in-situ current measurements from an array of 12 acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) deployed in the Korea Strait. Fluxes and distributions of internal tidal energy were calculated using simulation results gathered in February and August. Our analyses reveal that energetic semidiurnal internal tides are generated in a region around the Korea Strait shelf break (35.5°N, 130°~130.5°E), where the strong cross-slope semidiurnal barotropic tidal currents interact with a sudden topographical change. The semidiurnal internal tidal energy generated in summer displays values about twice as large as values in winter. Propagation of semidiurnal internal tides also reveals seasonal variability. In February, most of the semidiurnal internal tides propagate only into the open basin of the East Sea due to weak stratification in the Korea Strait, which inhibits their southwestward propagation. In August, they propagate southwestward to 35.2°N along the western channel of the Korea Strait because of strong stratification. In addition, semidiurnal internal tides generated in a region west of Tsushima Island are found to propagate to the coast of Busan. This can be explained by the intensified stratification due to the strong intrusion of bottom cold water in the western channel of the Korea Strait during summer.