• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.1033-1043
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• 1997

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.

• Journal of the korean society of oceanography
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-21
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• 1999

A two-layer quasi-geostrophic numerical model is used to investigate the temporal variability of the East Korea Warm Current (EKWC), especially the separation from the Korean coast and the generation of warm eddies. An attention is given on the active role of the nonlinear boundary layer process. For this, an idealized flat bottom model of the East Sea is forced with the annual mean wind curl and with the inflow-outflow specified at the Korea (Tsushima) and Tsugaru Straits. Two types of separation mechanisms are identified. The first one is influenced by the westward movement of the recirculating leg of the EKWC (externally driven separation),the second one is solely driven by the boundary layer dynamics (internally driven separation). However, these two processes are not independent, and usually coexist. It is hypothesized that 'internally driven separation' arises as the result of relative vorticity production at the wall, its subsequent advection via the EKWC, and its accumulation up to a critical level characterized by the separation of the boundary flow from the coast. It is found that the sharp southeastern corner of the Korean peninsula provides a favorable condition for the accumulation of relative vorticity. The separation of the EKWC usually accompanies the generation of a warm eddy with a diameter of about 120 km. The warm eddy has a typical layer-averaged velocity of 0.3 m/s and its lifespan is up to a year. In general, the characteristics of the simulated warm eddy are compatible with observations. A conclusion is therefore drawn that the variability of the EKWC is at least partially self-excited, not being influenced by any sources of perturbation in the forcing field, and that the likely source of the variability is the barotropic instability although the extent of contribution from the baroclinic instability remains unknown. The effects of the seasonal wind curl and inflow-outflow strength are also investigated.