Variations of current path, velocity, and volume transport of the Kuroshio in relation with the large meander

Abstract

After the long-time, non-large-meander (NLM) path during 1963-75, the Kuroshio takes a large-meander (LM) path during most of 1975-91. The study of these meanders confirms the description of the path of the Kuroshio based on the three typical paths and the transitions between them, with an exception being the 1981-84 LM path. The formation and decay of the large meander are associated with velocity and position of the Kuroshio in the Tokara Strait south of Kyushu. Volume transport of the Kuroshio shows an interdecadal variation, small before 1975 and large afterward. LM paths occur when the Kuroshio has large or medium transport and velocity, and is in a northern position in the Tokara Strait. -from Author