Numerical Experiment on the Ulleung Eddy due to the Variation of the Tsushima Current in the East Sea

In order to understand the generation mechanism of the Ulleung Eddy, we carried out a series of numerical experiments using the nonlinear 11/2 - layer model allowing the inflow of the Tsushima Current. According to our numerical results, the Ulleung Eddy was generated due to the inflow variations of the Tsushima Current. Its inflow through the Korea Strait was deflected to the east due to the Coriolis force and the nonlinear self advection. Thus, an anticyclonic motion was formed at the north of the Korea Strait. The inflow became a coastal boundary current, and finally flowed out model ocean through the eastern exit. When the speed of inflow decreased slowly, the eddy- like motion at the north of the Korea Strait changed into an enclosed anticyclonic eddy of about 200 km in diameter. The Ulleung Eddy became circular shape due to the nonlinear self advection, then changed into elliptical shape in meridional direction because of the blocking effect of the western boundary.