Joint analysis is carried out of NOAA HRPT IR images (1993-1994) and trajectories sstellite-tracked drifters data (1992-1995) to investigate space-time variability of main elements of the Japan sea dynamics and estimate their kinematic parameters. The most typical diameters, mean orbital velocities and revolution periods of the eddies in the southern area were 90-140 km, 26-34 cm/s and 12-15 days, respectively, their translation velocity did not exceed 2 cm/s. Entrainment of warm (cold) water from south (north) by the eddies determined existence of the East Korean Warm Current, intensive zonal flow around the Yamato Rise and southward cold water intrusions. Seasonal variability of the observed circulation picture, its association with bottom topography and its correspondence with known schemes based on hydrographic data and numerical modelling are discussed.
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