For example, TOPEX/POSEIDON altimeter has detected this variation as shown by Imawaki et al(1997). There were strong fluctuations in sea-level height (which has a good correlation with transport) in 1993. The Kuroshio tended to meander at that time, although it did not develop to a stationary meander. From a further analysis of the ASUKA line data, Imawaki et al (1997) mentioned that these variations can be attributed to those in the recirculation gyre. Detailed comparison between observation and models awaites further study.
Acknowledgment
We are grateful to Dr. Hogg, and Dr. Qiu for stimulative discussion. HM is supported by Frontier Research System for Global Change promoted by JAMSTEC and NASDA. This work was also carried out as a part of the Mid-latitude Ocean Circulation Project conducted by Department of Ocean Research, JAMSTEC.
REFERENCES
Akitomo, K., T. Awaji, and N. Imasato, 1991: Kuroshio path variation south of Japan 1.: barotropic inflow-outflow model. J. Geophys. Res., 96, 2549-2560.
Blumberg, A. F. and G. L. Mellor, 1983: Diagnostic and prognostic numerical circullation studies of the South Atlantic Bight, J. Geophys. Res., 88, 4579-4592.
Chao S. -Y., 1984: Bimodality of the Kuroshio. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 14, 92-103.
Charney, J. G., and G. R. Frierl, 1981: Ocean analogue of large-scale atmospheric motion. Evolution of Physical Oceanography, B. Warren and C. Wunsch eds., MIT Press, 504-548.
Ezer, T and G. L. Mellor, 1992: A numerical study of the variability and the separation of the Gulf Stream induced by surface atmospheric forcing and lateral boundary flows, J. Phys. Oceanogr., 22, 660-682.
Imawaki, S., H. Uchida, H. Ichikawa, M. Fukasawa, S. Umatani and ASUKA group, 1997: Time Seriese of the Kuroshio Toransport Derived from Field Observations and Altimetry Data., International WOCE Newsletter, 25, 15-18.
Jayne, S. R., N. G. Hogg, and P. Malanotte-Rizzoli, 1996: Recirculation gyres forced by a betaplane jet. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 26, 492-504.
Kawabe, M., 1985: Sea level variations at the Izu Islands and typical stable paths of the Kuroshio. J. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 41, 307-326.
Masuda, A., 1982: An interpretation of bimodal character of the stable Kuroshio path. Deep-sea Res., 29, 471-484.
Mellor, G. L. and T. Yamada, 1982: Development of a turbulent closure model for geophysical fluid problems, Rev. Geophys. Space Phys., 20, 851-875.
Mitsudera, H. and R. Grimshaw, 1994: Capture and resonant forcing of solitary waves by the interaction of a baroclinic current with topography. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 24, 2217-2244.
Mitsudera, H., Y. Yoshikawa, B. Taguchi and H. Nakamura, 1997: Hight-resolution Kuroshio / Oyashio System Model: Preliminary Results, JAMSTECR, 36, 147-155.
White, W. B. and J. P. McCreary, 1976: The Kuroshio meander and its relationship to the large scale ocean circulation. Deep-Sea Res., 23, 33-47.
Yamagata, T. and S. Umatani, 1989: Geometry-forced coherent structures as a model of the Kuroshio large meander. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 19, 130-138.
Yasuda, I., J. -H. Yoon, and N. Suginohara, 1985: Dynamics of the Kuroshio Large meander-Brotropic model. J. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 41, 259-273.
Yoon, J. -H. and I. Yasuda, 1987: Dynamics of the Kuroshio meander: Two-layer model. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 17, 66-81.
