The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

On the flow-topography interactions in the Tokara Strait
ID:158 Oral Presentation

2027-01-12 11:10 (China Standard Time)

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

Abstract
Intense flow-topography interactions occur in the Kuroshio region where complex bottom topography exists, leading to the generation of multiscale dynamical processes, including internal waves and submesoscale eddies. In this study, focusing on the Tokara Strait where dozens of small islands and seamounts as well as strong Kuroshio and tidal currents coexist, we investigate the generation and evolution of submesoscale eddies and internal waves using high-resolution models. The Kuroshio generates energetic submesoscale eddies on the lee side of the topographies. Variations in the Kuroshio, particularly its path, considerably modulate the submesoscale eddies. Energy budget analysis indicates that barotropic instability is the primary source of submesoscale kinetic energy, while baroclinic instability and wind work become non-negligible in winter. The submesoscale eddies disintegrate through different kinds of instabilities and thereby contribute to turbulent mixing. In addition to the Kuroshio, semidiurnal tidal currents excite semidiurnal internal tides, which further generate high-wavenumber near-inertial waves via parametric subharmonic instability (PSI). Although the Kuroshio suppresses the PSI along its main path, the PSI majorly contributes to mixing in and around the Tokara Strait in most of the areas outside the Kuroshio path.
 
Speaker
Shuya Wang Tohoku University

Author
Shuya Wang Tohoku University

    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

      Abstract acceptance notifications

    • Sep 15

      2026

      Scientific program released

    • Oct 15

      2026

      Early bird registration closes

    • Jan 12–15

      2027

      XMAS 2027