Numerical Modeling Experiments of the East (Japan) Sea Circulation and Mesoscale Eddy Generation based on POM-ES

摘要

The numerical model, POM-ES is developed to understand the physics of the circulation of the East (Japan) Sea. Numerical modeling experiments are designed to answer major dynamical questions including basin-wide circulation system, topographic control of major currents, meso-scale eddy activities, formation of the polar front, response to in-outflow conditions. Important conclusions could be drawn that 1) topographic control is a primary factor in defining the present current systems, 2) the influence of the monthly wind stress is prominent along the coastlines of Russia, Korea and Japan, 3) major current systems (TWC, EKWC, NKCC, Liman and Primoriye) are well reproduced, 4) the baroclinic conditions are of crucial importance in the process of the instability of the Tsushima Warm Current along the Japan Island and are leading to subsequent meandering of the off-shore axis of the TWC and generation of the meso-scale warm eddy into the Ulleung Basin.