Studying the Origin of Kuroshio with an Array of ADCP-CTD Moorings
Abstract
Our long-term scientific goals are to understand the dynamics and identify mechanisms of small-scale processes i.e., internal tides, inertial waves, nonlinear internal waves (NLIWs), and turbulence mixing in the ocean and their interaction with mesoscale processes such as western boundary currents. We aim to develop improved parameterizations of mixing for ocean models. For this study, our focus is on the origin of the Kuroshio, the interaction among internal tides, internal waves, mesoscale eddies, and the Kuroshio, and the interaction of oceanic processes with the complex topography in Luzon Strait. The primary objectives of this observational program are to quantify the origin of the Kuroshio and to quantify its properties at the origin and as it evolves downstream. An array of six subsurface moorings is deployed northeast of the Philippines, where the strong Kuroshio enters Luzon Strait. Each mooring has an Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) to measure the velocity field in the upper 600 m. Our long-term velocity observations and complementary shipboard survey will help identify the origin of the Kuroshio and its properties before it enters Luzon Strait. We will compare our observations with glider and HPIES observations and with downstream mooring observations east of Taiwan to quantify the evolution of the Kuroshio.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA590617
Entities
People
- Ren-Chieh Lien
Organizations
- University of Washington