Energetics Analysis of the Eddy–Kuroshio Interaction East of Taiwan

Abstract

The three-dimensional energetics evolution during eddy–Kuroshio interactions east of Taiwan is systematically investigated in a time-dependent theoretical framework using outputs from an eddy-resolving ocean general circulation model. Composite analyses are conducted based on 17 anticyclonic eddies (AEs) and 19 cyclonic eddies (CEs). These westward propagating mesoscale eddies impinge on the Kuroshio at ∼22°N, ∼124.5°E and interact with the Kuroshio with a mean duration of ∼70 days. During the interaction, all the eddy energy reservoirs and eddy–mean flow energy conversions exhibit complex spatial–temporal variations. In particular, during the strong interaction period (days 18–54), both AEs and CEs are deformed into an elliptic shape, with the major axis in the northeast–southwest direction due to the squeeze of surrounding eddies, and obtain kinetic energy from the mean flow. Overall, the eddies are weakened gradually after encountering the Kuroshio, with the energy of CEs decreased more rapidly than that of AEs. The eddies decay through two pathways: transferring ∼8% of eddy available potential energy (EPE) to the mean flow, and converting ∼64% of EPE to eddy kinetic energy (EKE) via the baroclinic instability with the majority of the EKE finally dissipated. The results suggest that although the time-dependent energy conversion terms vanish upon time averaging, they play important but opposite roles in the evolution of AEs and CEs. The analysis in this work is on the synoptic and intraseasonal time scales; hence, it provides a basis for understanding the long-term variations of the eddy–Kuroshio interaction and associated climate change. The three-dimensional energetics evolution during eddy–Kuroshio interactions east of Taiwan is systematically investigated in a time-dependent theoretical framework using outputs from an eddy-resolving ocean general circulation model. Composite analyses are conducted based on 17 anticyclonic eddies (AEs) and 19 cyclonic eddies (CEs). These westward propagating mesoscale eddies impinge on the Kuroshio at ∼22°N, ∼124.5°E and interact with the Kuroshio with a mean duration of ∼70 days. During the interaction, all the eddy energy reservoirs and eddy–mean flow energy conversions exhibit complex spatial–temporal variations. In particular, during the strong interaction period (days 18–54), both AEs and CEs are deformed into an elliptic shape, with the major axis in the northeast–southwest direction due to the squeeze of surrounding eddies, and obtain kinetic energy from the mean flow. Overall, the eddies are weakened gradually after encountering the Kuroshio, with the energy of CEs decreased more rapidly than that of AEs. The eddies decay through two pathways: transferring ∼8% of eddy available potential energy (EPE) to the mean flow, and converting ∼64% of EPE to eddy kinetic energy (EKE) via the baroclinic instability with the majority of the EKE finally dissipated. The results suggest that although the time-dependent energy conversion terms vanish upon time averaging, they play important but opposite roles in the evolution of AEs and CEs. The analysis in this work is on the synoptic and intraseasonal time scales; hence, it provides a basis for understanding the long-term variations of the eddy–Kuroshio interaction and associated climate change.