Diagnostic calculation of the circulation in the South China Sea during summer 1998 |
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| Authors: | Guanghong Liao Yaochu Yuan Xiaohua Xu |
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| Institution: | (1) State Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic Administration, Hangzhou, 310012, China |
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| Abstract: | On the basis of hydrographic data obtained from 12 June to 6 July, 1998, the three-dimensional structure of circulation in
the South China Sea (SCS) is computed using a three-dimensional diagnostic model. The combination of sea surface height anomaly
from altimeter data and numerical results provides a consistent circulation pattern for the SCS, and the main circulation
features can be summarized as follows: In the northern SCS there are a cyclonic eddy C1 near Dongsha Islands and an anti-cyclonic
eddy W1 west of Luzon Island. In the central SCS a strong anti-cyclonic eddy W3 and a cyclonic eddy C3 compose a quasi-dipole
southeast of Vietnam. A coastal northward jet is present at the western boundary near the Vietnam coast above 300 m level.
This northward coastal jet flows northward and turns eastward at about 14°N, and then flows southeastward into the area between
eddies W3 and C3. In the southern SCS the current is weaker. The most important dynamic mechanism underlying the circulation
in the SCS is the joint effect of the baroclinicity and relief (JEBAR), and the second dynamical mechanism is the interaction
between the wind stress and relief (IBWSR). Comparison of the characters of circulation in the SCS during summer 2000 with
that during summer 1998 reveals no obvious variability of the main characteristics. |
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| Keywords: | Circulation in the SCS summer 1998 SSHA from altimeter data diagnostic calculation multi-eddies structure dynamic factors JEBAR and IBWSR |
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