The Warm Eddy in the East Korean Bight

Abstract

Sea surface temperature derived from infrared images of NOAA satellites showed a warm eddy in the East Korean Bight(EKB) or Donghan Man during the winter 1997-2000. To describe the warm eddy in the EKB, hydrographic data collected in 1934 and 1936 were also analyzed. The center of the warm eddy was located at about 39°N and 129°E. The temperature and salinity of the eddy was about 4.0°C and 34.0 psu, respectively, at 100 m depth. The eddy rotated anticyclonically with a geostrophic current speed of about 20 cm/s. The mean state calculated from the data of 1922-1960 showed the existence of a warm eddy over the EKB in winter. The eddy persists until late spring, and disappears from the previous location in summer-time, only to be seen again in autumn.