Kuroshio Extension System Study

The warm, northward-flowing waters of the Kuroshio western boundary current leave the Japanese coast to flow eastward into the North Pacific as a free jet — the Kuroshio Extension. The Kuroshio Extension forms a vigorously meandering boundary between the warm subtropical and cold northern waters of the Pacific. A recirculation gyre exists to the south of the Kuroshio Extension. Another may exist to the north. This is also one of the most intense air sea heat exchange regions on the globe, where the warm Kuroshio waters encounter the cold dry air masses coming from the Asian continent. The Kuroshio Extension system exhibits variations which strongly affect North American climate. Among the diverse fields that will benefit from this work are fisheries and climate research, and understanding storm tracks. Read more »