The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Comparative Analysis of Evolution Processes of Mesoscale Eddies East of Luzon and Taiwan Islands
ID:146 Poster Presentation

2027-01-15 18:15 (China Standard Time)

Session:Session 38 - Oceanic (Sub)mesoscale Processes and Their Climate Impacts

Abstract
Mesoscale eddies are very active in the Northwestern Pacific. They continuously propagate westward and eventually meet the strong western boundary current (Kuroshio) east of the Luzon and Taiwan islands. When the mesoscale eddies interact with the Kuroshio, the speed and path of the Kuroshio are significantly changed, their three-dimensional structures were changed, and ultimately dissipated. At present, there have been many studies on the evolution of mesoscale eddies east of the Taiwan Island, but the evolution process of mesoscale eddies east of the Luzon Island and the similarities and differences with those east of the Taiwan Island remain unclear. Based on the satellite altimeter data from 1993 to 2019 and OFES (Ocean General Circulation Model for the Earth Simulator) model data with a resolution of 1/10° ×1/10°, we compared and analyzed the three-dimensional evolution processes of mesoscale eddies originating from the inner Pacific Ocean when they propagate westwards and meet the Kuroshio east of the Luzon and Taiwan islands. Results show that the mesoscale eddies in the two islands regions underwent four stages: contact, deformation, stretching, and dissipation. In general, the mesoscale eddies east of the Taiwan Island are stronger and have a longer interaction period with the Kuroshio. The interaction time of cyclonic (anticyclonic) eddies with the Kuroshio east of the Taiwan (Luzon) Island is 39 (33) and 54 (24) days, indicating that the cyclonic eddies (anticyclonic eddies) east of the Taiwan (Luzon) Island decay faster. In horizontal direction, after meeting the Kuroshio east of Taiwan, the mesoscale eddies gradually deformed into inclined ellipses in the NE-SW direction. However, the mesoscale eddies are mainly stretched in the N-S direction when they encounter the Kuroshio east of the Luzon Island. In vertical direction, the centers of cyclonic (anticyclonic) eddies east of the Taiwan Island inclined southwestward (northwestward) with increasing depth, and the degree of inclination gradually decreased over time, whereas the vertical inclination of the mesoscale eddies east of the Luzon Island was not significant. Besides, in both islands regions, cyclonic (anticyclonic) eddies lead to a weakening (strengthening) of the Kuroshio. Due to the blocking effect of the Kuroshio’s jet, the mesoscale eddies caused seesaw-like variations in sea surface height and sub-surface temperature in the two sides of the Kuroshio.
 
Speaker
Xiaomei Yan Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Author
Xiaomei Yan Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

    Important Dates

    • Jan 30

      2026

      Session / Event proposals open

    • Mar 31

      2026

      Session / Event proposals close
      (Extended to April 7)

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Session acceptance notifications

    • Apr 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions & registration open

    • Jun 30

      2026

      Abstract submissions close
      (Extended to July 21)

    • Aug 31

      2026

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    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027