Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Bottom pressure change associated with the 2004–2005 large meander of the Kuroshio south of Japan

  • Published:
Ocean Dynamics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A large meander of the Kuroshio was generated in the region off the southern coast of Japan in August 2004 and continued until approximately July 2005. The formation and decay of the large-meander (LM) path was observed by bottom pressure (BP) sensors installed on inverted echo sounders (PIESs) and a seismic observing system off Shikoku. The variation in BP was examined focusing on the development, persistence, and decay of the LM path. The BP was found to be depressed associated with a Kuroshio path disturbance, called a small meander, and this BP depression led the sea surface height (SSH) depression by up to approximately two months. The temporal phase shift between the sea surface and deep disturbances was significantly greater than those of other small meanders that did not develop into large meanders. After the formation of the LM path, the BP beneath the Kuroshio increased with a lag of approximately two months behind the SSH elevation along with the upward displacement of the main thermocline. The increase in BP is associated with that of the positive southward BP gradient anomaly, i.e., the eastward deep Kuroshio current anomaly, which suggests an enhancement of the topographic steering and stability of the LM path. This is consistent with the fact that no small meanders occurred in the early LM period from late July 2004 to late January 2005.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akima H (1970) A new method of interpolation and smooth curve fitting based on local procedures. J Assoc Comput Mach 17:589–602

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • AVISO (2008) SSALTO/DUACS user handbook: (M)SLA and (M)ADT near-real time and delayed time products, Tech. rep., CLS, Ramonville St Agnes

  • Bjerknes J, Holmboe J (1944) On the theory of cyclones. J Meteor 1:1–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Book J W, Wimbush M, Imawaki S, Ichikawa H, Uchida H, Kinoshita H (2002) Kuroshio temporal and spatial variations south of Japan determined from inverted echo sounder measurements. J Geophys Res 107(C9). https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JC000795

  • Cushman-Roisin B, Beckers J-M (2011) Introduction to geophysical fluid dynamics, 2nd edn. Academic, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Endoh T, Hibiya T (2000) Numerical study of the generation and propagation of trigger meanders of the Kuroshio south of Japan. J Oceanogr 56:409–418

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Endoh T, Hibiya T (2001) Numerical simulation of the transient response of the Kuroshio leading to the large meander formation south of Japan. J Geophys Res 106:26833–26850

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fukasawa M, Teramoto T (1986) Characteristics of deep currents off Cape Shiono-misaki before and after formation of the large meander of the Kuroshio in 1981. J Oceanogr Soc Jpn 42:53–68

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houston M H, Paros J M (1998) High accuracy pressure instrumentation for underwater applications. In: Proceedings of the International Symposium on Underwater Technology. IEEE, pp 307–311, DOI https://doi.org/10.1109/UT.1998.670113, (to appear in print)

  • Hurlbert H E, Wallcraft A, Schmitz W Jr, Hogan P, Metzger E (1996) Dynamics of the Kuroshio/Oyashio current system using eddy-resolving models of the North Pacific Ocean. J Geophys Res 101:941–976

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Igarashi Y (2010) Spatial changes of inter-plate coupling inferred from sequences of small repeating earthquakes in Japan. Geophys Res Lett 37(L20304). https://doi.org/10.1029/2010GL044609

  • Kakinoki K, Imawaki S, Uchida H, Nakamura H, Ichikawa K, Umatani S, Nishina A, Ichikawa H, Wimbush M (2008) Variations of Kuroshio geostrophic transport south of Japan estimated from long-term IES observations. J Oceanogr 66:373–384

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaneda Y et al. (2015) Advanced real time monitoring system and simulation researches for earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan. In: Santiago-Fandiño V, Kontar Y, Kaneda Y (eds) Post-tsunami hazard: reconstruction and restoration (advances in natural and technological hazards research), chap 12. Springer International Publishing, Switzerland, pp 179–189, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-10202-3_12, (to appear in print)

  • Katsumata K (1998) Stability of a western boundary current with curvature. Geophys Astrophys Fluid Dyn 87:51–79

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kawabe M (1980) Sea level variations along the south coast of Japan and the large meander in the Kuroshio. J Oceanogr Soc Jpn 36:97–104

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kawabe M (1985) Sea level variations at the Izu Islands and typical stable paths of the Kuroshio. J Oceanogr Soc Jpn 41:307–326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kawabe M (1995) Variations of current path, velocity, and volume transport of the Kuroshio in relation with the large meander. J Phys Oceanogr 25(12):3103–3117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kawabe M (1996) Model study of flow conditions causing the large meander of the Kuroshio south of Japan. J Phys Oceanogr 26:2449–2461

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masuda S, Akitomo K (2000) Effects of stratification and bottom topography on the Kuroshio path variation south of Japan. Part II: path transitions in a multiple equilibrium regime. J Phys Oceanogr 30:1431–1449

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miyazawa Y et al. (2009) Water mass variability in the western North Pacific detected in a 15-year eddy resolving ocean reanalysis. J Oceanogr 65:737–756

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nagano A (2003) Characteristics of the generation and propagation of small meanders of the Kuroshio clarified by sea-level analysis. Doctoral dissertation, The University of Tokyo

  • Nagano A, Kawabe M (2004) Monitoring of generation and propagation of the Kuroshio small meander using sea levels along the southern coast of Japan. J Oceanogr 60:879–892. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-004-5780-z

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nagano A, Kawabe M (2005) Coastal disturbance in sea level propagating along the south coast of Japan and its impact on the Kuroshio. J Oceanogr 61:885–903. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-006-0007-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nagano A, Ichikawa H, Ichikawa K, Konda M (2008) Bottom currents on the continental slope off Shikoku, in OCEANS 2008 - MTS/IEEE Kobe Techno-Ocean. Kobe, pp 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1109/OCEANSKOBE.2008.4530977

  • Nagano A, Ichikawa K, Ichikawa H, Tomita H, Tokinaga H, Konda M (2010) Stable volume and heat transports of the North Pacific subtropical gyre revealed by identifying the Kuroshio in synoptic hydrography south of Japan. J Geophys Res 115(C09002). https://doi.org/10.1029/2009JC005747

  • Nagano A, Ichikawa K, Ichikawa H, Konda M, Murakami K (2013) Volume transports proceeding to the Kuroshio Extension region and recirculating in the Shikoku Basin. J Oceanogr 69(3):285–293. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-013-0173-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nitani H (1972) Beginning of the Kuroshio. In: Stommel H, Yoshida K (eds) Kuroshio-its physical aspects. University of Tokyo Press, pp 129–163

  • Nitani H (1975) Variation of the Kuroshio south of Japan. J Oceanogr Soc Jpn 31:154–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Pedlosky J (1987) Geophysical fluid dynamics, 2nd edn. Springer, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips N A (1954) Energy transformations and meridional circulations associated with simple baroclinic waves in a two-level, quasi-geostrophic model. Tellus 6:273–286

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polster A, Fabian M, Villinger H (2009) Effective resolution and drift of Paroscientific pressure sensors derived from long-term seafloor measurements. Geochem Geophys Geosyst 10(8). https://doi.org/10.1029/2009GC002532

  • Press W, Teukolsky A, Vetterling W, Flannery B (1992) Numerical recipes in Fortran 77: the art of scientific computing, 2nd edn. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Rio M H, Guinehut S, Larnicol G (2011) New CNES-CLS09 global mean dynamic topography computed from the combination of GRACE data, altimetry, and in situ measurements. J Geophys Res 116(C07018). https://doi.org/10.1029/2010JC006505

  • Robinson A, Taft B (1972) A numerical experiment for the path of the Kuroshio. J Mar Res 30:65–101

    Google Scholar 

  • Savidge D K, Bane J M Jr (1999) Cyclogenesis in the deep ocean beneath the Gulf stream 1. Dynamics. J Geophys Res 104(C8):18127–18140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shoji D (1972) Time variation of the Kuroshio south of Japan. In: Stommel H, Yoshida K (eds) Kuroshio—its physical aspects. University of Tokyo Press, Tokyo, pp 217–234

  • Solomon H (1978) Occurrence of small “trigger” meanders in the Kuroshio off southern Kyushu. J Oceanogr Soc Jpn 34:81–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taft B (1972) Characteristics of the flow of the Kuroshio south of Japan. In: Stommel H, Yoshida K (eds) Kuroshio—its physical aspects. University of Tokyo Press, pp 165–216

  • Taft B (1978) Structure of Kuroshio south of Japan. J Mar Res 36:77–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Taft B A, Robinson A R, Schmitz W J Jr (1973) Current path and bottom velocity of the Kuroshio. J Phys Oceanogr 3:347–350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson R (1983) Low-pass filters to suppress inertial and tidal frequencies. J Phys Oceanogr 13:1077–1083

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Uchida H, Imawaki S, Ichikawa H, the ASUKA Group (2008) ASUKA hydrographic data collection. Rep Res Inst Appl Mech, Kyushu University 135:21–31

    Google Scholar 

  • Usui N, Tsujino H, Nakano H, Fujii Y (2008) Formation process of the Kuroshio large meander in 2004. J Geophys Res 113(C08047). https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JC004675

  • Watts D R, Kontoyiannis H (1990) Deep-ocean bottom pressure measurement: drift removal and performance. J Atmos Oceanic Technol 7:296–306

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Worthington L, Kawai H (1972) Comparison between deep sections across the Kuroshio and the Florida Current and Gulf Stream. In: Stommel H, Yoshida K (eds) Kuroshio—its physical aspects. University of Tokyo Press, pp 371–385

  • Yamashiro T, Kawabe M (1996) Monitoring of position of the Kuroshio axis in the Tokara Strait using sea level data. J Oceanogr 52:675–687

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yaremchuk M I, Krot D A (2002) Approximation for the inverse speed of sound in seawater, suitable for assimilating acoustic tomography data into numerical models. J Atmos Oceanic Technol 19:1469–1472

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yokota Y, Ishikawa T, Watanabe S, Tashiro T, Asada A (2016) Seafloor geodetic constraints on interplate coupling of the Nankai Trough megathrust zone. Nature 534:374–377. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature17632

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yoon J-H, Yasuda I (1987) Dynamics of the Kuroshio large meander: two-layer model. J Phys Oceanogr 17:66–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the members on board the R/V Kaiyo (cruise numbers: KY04-12, KY05-09, KY06-10, and KY06-12) and the R/V Tansei-maru (KT04-13 and KT05-23) of JAMSTEC for collecting the PIES data and the individuals concerned in the establishment of JAMSTEC Long-term Deep Sea Floor Observatory off Muroto Cape. In addition, the authors extend their sincere thanks to Dr. H. Uchida (JAMSTEC) and the individuals on board for their efforts in collecting the hydrographic data at the ASUKA-line, and Dr. Y. Miyazawa (JAMSTEC) for providing the JCOPE2 data. The authors also thank Dr. R. Iwase (JAMSTEC) for providing helpful comments on the ground fault of the cable-linked seismic observation system off Cape Muroto-misaki and Prof. Y. Michida (Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo) for providing valuable information on Quick Bulletin of Oceanographic Conditions. The authors are deeply grateful to the associated editor (Dr. D. Wolf-Gladrow) and anonymous reviewers for constructive review comments.

Funding

This work was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (15H04228, 17K05660) and the JAMSTEC innovation award for Exploratory Research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research and Development Center for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, 237-0061, Japan

    Akira Nagano & Takuya Hasegawa

  2. Research and Development Center for Earthquake and Tsunami, JAMSTEC, 3173-25 Showa-machi, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-0001, Japan

    Hiroyuki Matsumoto & Keisuke Ariyoshi

Authors
  1. Akira Nagano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Takuya Hasegawa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hiroyuki Matsumoto
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Keisuke Ariyoshi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Akira Nagano.

Additional information

Responsible Editor: Dieter Wolf-Gladrow

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nagano, A., Hasegawa, T., Matsumoto, H. et al. Bottom pressure change associated with the 2004–2005 large meander of the Kuroshio south of Japan. Ocean Dynamics 68, 847–865 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-018-1169-1

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10236-018-1169-1

Keywords

Search

Navigation