The Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

2027 Xiamen Symposium on Marine Environmental Sciences

January 12-15, 2027

Observed Changes in the Kuroshio Extension and Gulf Stream based on surface drifter and OSCAR
ID:876 Poster Presentation

2027-01-15 18:00 (China Standard Time)

Session:Session 55 - Decadal Climate Variation, Prediction and Predictability

Abstract
A primary challenge in assessing ocean circulation changes remains the scarcity of in situ current observations. By integrating drifter-derived data with satellite-derived surface currents, this study provides the first direct observational characterization of surface current variability of the Kuroshio Extension (KE) and Gulf Stream (GS) from 1998 to 2023. The KE and the GS systems exhibit consistent decadal variability, with the signal amplitude surpassing their long-term trends during this period. The analysis suggests that North Atlantic Mid-latitude (NAM) sea surface temperature (SST) variations may, through associated atmospheric teleconnections, modulate wind stress curl field over the North Pacific subtropical gyre, and subsequently influence the intensity of the KE current strength. In contrast, GS variations are primarily driven directly by changes in the vertically integrated temperature and are nearly synchronous with local SST changes. In addition to intensity variations, both the KE and GS have undergone significant wind-driven poleward migrations, with the GS additionally experiencing a distinct onshore displacement. The main current axes exhibit more pronounced poleward shifts during periods of decadal velocity intensification (2011-2023). These findings strengthen our understanding of recent changes in surface currents and provide observational constraints for modeling the response of ocean circulation to climate change.
 
Speaker
Wenhao Gong State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Author
Wenhao Gong State Key Laboratory of Tropical Oceanography, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China

    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