Recent observations in the straits of the East/Japan Sea: A review of hydrography, currents and volume transports

• Published in: Journal of marine systems Vol. 78; no. 2; pp. 200 - 205
• Main Authors: Na, Hanna, Isoda, Yutaka, Kim, Kuh, Kim, Young Ho, Lyu, Sang Jin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2009
• Subjects: East/Japan Sea; Korea/Tsushima Strait; Marine; Soya Strait; Tatar Strait; Tsugaru Strait; Volume transport; INW, Japan Sea; INW, Pacific, Tsushima Strait; INW, Korea, Rep; INW, Japan, Tsugaru Strait; Korea/Tsushima Strait; East/Japan Sea; Soya Strait; Tatar Strait; Tsugaru Strait; Volume transport
• ISSN: 0924-7963; 1879-1573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2009.02.018

Recent observations of hydrography, currents and volume transports in the straits of the East/Japan Sea are reviewed. It is newly found that bottom cold water in the Korea/Tsushima Strait originating from the northern region of the East/Japan Sea appears not only in summer and autumn but also in winter. Intensive observations in the Korea/Tsushima Strait revealed two distinct cores of northeastward currents in the upper layer of the western and eastern channels. Mean volume transport through the Korea/Tsushima Strait is calculated as 2.5 ± 0.5 Sv from four-year direct and indirect measurements. As continuous monitoring has started in the Tsugaru and Soya Straits, understanding of temporal variability of currents and volume transports through the straits is in progress. For the first time, simultaneous time series of volume transports are available in the Korea/Tsushima and Tsugaru Straits during the winter of 1999–2000. Ouflow through the Tsugaru Strait accounts for about 70% of inflow through the Korea/Tsushima Strait for this period.