Abstract
The theoretical problem of formation of boundary currents in an idealized basin subject to seasonally varying buoyancy forcing is considered in an attempt to apply it to the seasonally varying Tsushima Current. Until now, all the theories intended to explain the branching of the Tsushima Current have been for the annual mean Tsushima Current—the seasonally varying Tsushima Current has never been properly explained. A simple numerical experiment shows that eastern and western boundary currents change in time, concurrently, when local buoyancy forcing is sufficient, as it is in the Tsushima Current. However, this is not true for ineffective local buoyancy forcing. The importance of the role played by local buoyancy forcing is further supported by simple theoretical considerations. Overall, this study suggests that effective local buoyancy forcing is probably essential to the formation of seasonally varying eastern and western boundary currents of the Tsushima Current.
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Notes
The Editor-in-Chief recommends the usage of term “Sea of Japan” or “Japan Sea” in place of “East/Japan Sea”.
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Acknowledgments
This work was supported by a Korea Research Foundation Grant funded by the Korean Government (MOEHRD; KRF-2007-313-C00787).
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Seung, Y.H., Kim, K.J. Boundary currents in a meridional channel subject to seasonally varying buoyancy forcing: application to the Tsushima Current. J Oceanogr 67, 563–575 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-011-0057-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-011-0057-9