• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.55-66
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• 2020

Near-inertial waves (NIW) which are primarily generated by wind can contribute to vertical mixing in the ocean. The energetic NIW can be generated by typhoon due to its strong wind and preferable wind direction changes especially on the right-hand side of the typhoon. Here we investigate the generation and distribution of NIW using the output of a real-time ocean forecasting system. Five-year model outputs during 2013-2017 are analyzed with a focus on cases of energetic NIW generation by the passage of three typhoons (Halong, Goni, and Chaba) over the East Sea. Calculations of wind energy input (${\bar{W}}_I$), and horizontal kinetic energy in the mixed layer (${\bar{HKE}}_{MLD}$) reveal that the spatial distribution of ${\bar{HKE}}_{MLD}$, which is strengthened at the right-hand side of typhoon tracks, is closely related with ${\bar{W}}_I$. Horizontal kinetic energy in the deep layer (${\bar{HKE}}_{DEEP}$) shows patch-shaped distribution mainly located at the southern side of the East Sea. Spatial distribution of ${\bar{HKE}}_{DEEP}$ shows a close relationship with negative relative vorticity regions caused by warm eddies in the upper layer. Monthly-mean ${\bar{HKE}}_{MLD}$ and ${\bar{HKE}}_{DEEP}$ during a typhoon passing over the East Sea shows about 2.5-5.7 times and 1.2-1.6 times larger values than those during summer with no typhoons, respectively. In addition, their magnitudes are respectively about 0.4-1.0 and 0.8-1.0 times from those during winter, suggesting that the typhoon-induced NIW can provide a significant energy to enhance vertical mixing at both the mixed and deep layers during summer.