The penetration of Kuroshio water into the Sea of Japan

Abstract

The nonlinear leakage of Kuroshio water (via the Tsushima Strait) into the Sea of Japan is examined using a "reduced gravity' analytical model. The flow in our conceptual model results from the zonal sea level difference between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan. It is found that the leakage associated with the Kuroshio's penetration is only a function of the latitude of the gap, the separation latitude of the Kuroshio, and the stratification in the Pacific. The transport is controlled by the geostrophic flows upstream and downstream. However, in addition to the so-called "geostrophic control', the flow is also controlled by β. -from Author