OBSERVATION OF THE JEJU ISLAND COASTAL CURRENT

Abstract

In order to monitor the current structure near Jeju Island in the northern East China Sea, KIOST deployed a current meter mooring in the region southeast of Jeju Island where the Thushima Current passes in May 2012. The current data recorded in the site reveal the seasonal variation of current structure. The wintertime current was dominated by the northeastward Thushima Current and showed the barotropic vertical structure. In summer, however, an unexpected southward undercurrent was observed in the depth below the pycnocline with its maximum speed of about 50 cm/sec. It is also found that the existence of southward coastal undercurrent is consistent with the appearance of bottom cold water observed in the region in summer.d in the site reveal the seasonal variation of current structure. The wintertime current was dominated by the northeastward Thushima Current and showed the barotropic vertical structure. In summer, however, an unexpected southward undercurrent was observed in the depth below the pycnocline with its maximum speed of about 50 cm/sec. It is also found that the existence of southward coastal undercurrent is consistent with the appearance of bottom cold water observed in the region in summer.