Observation of the sea surface currents in the southwest of East China Sea by Long-Range Ocean Radar

摘要

Kuroshio Currant in the southwest of East China Sea is continuously observed by Long-Range Ocean Radar (LROR) that National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) is developing for measuring sea surface currents and waves at the coast and ocean. By the continuous observations, it is clarified that Kuroshio has two current patterns. In addition, to evaluate the influence of Kuroshio at the coastal region, the current patterns of Kuroshio are compared with the sea level at Ishigaki Island and Yonaguni Islands. As a result of these comparisons, it is clarified that the abnormal sea level at the costal region of Ishigaki and Yonaguni Islands depends on the variation of Kuroshio.