Numerical Experiment on the Sogcho Eddy due to the strong offshore winds in the East Sea

In order to understand the generation of the Sogcho Eddy due to the strong offshore winds, we first investigated the characteristics of winds at Sogcho, Kangnung and Samchuk, and then carried out a series of numerical experiments using the nonlinear 1 1/2-layer model. The models were forced by wind stress fields, similar in structure to the prevailing winds that a field in the east coast of Korea during the winter season. The winds were composed of the background winds $(-1\;dyne/cm^2)$ for 90 days and the local winds $(-4\;dyne/cm^2)$ for 30 days. The analysis of wind data at three stations (Sogcho, Kangnung, and Samchuk) showed that the wind was stronger in winter than in other seasons and the offshore component was much dominant. According to our numerical solutions, the Sogcho Eddy of about 200 km in diameter was generated due to the strong offshore winds prevailing in the Kangnung - Sogcho regions. The eastward propagation of the Rossby waves reflected at the western boundary resulted in the eastward meandering motion from the eastern side of the eddy.