Impact of Different Wind Forcing on Circulation in the Japan/East Sea
Abstract
The surface circulation in the Japan/East Sea (JES) can be influenced by external forcing such as flow through the straits, surface wind stress, and surface heating and cooling. All are believed to have a significant effect on the presence and/or strength of the large scale circulation features such as the East Korean Warm Current (EKWC), the Liman and North Korea Cold Currents (LCC and NKCC), the Polar Front (PF), and the Nearshore Branch (NB) of the Tsushima Warm Current. In this paper, we examine the impact of seven different seasonal wind stress forcing sets on the mean surface circulation in the JES via a layered circulation model. The simulations also include seasonal forcing through the straits. Previous modeling studies give some indication of the sensitivity of numerical models to external forcing, but the extent is difficult to quantify because of differences in model design and model parameters. To eliminate these differences we use the same (identical) ocean model to elucidate the model sensitivity to the choice of atmospheric forcing set.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA368080
Entities
People
- Harley E. Hurlburt
- Patrick J. Hogan
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory