Interaction of the Kuroshio with the East and the South China Seas and Nonlinear Wave Dynamics in the South China Sea

Abstract : The long-term objective is to better understand the interactions between the Kuroshio and the China Seas with the coordinated use of several tools, some of which already developed by ONR: a numerical model, a Surface Velocity Program (SVP) drifters array and surface drifters that are configured to gather enhanced data. We intend to investigate the dynamical processes that govern this interaction. To achieve this goal, new observations are being obtained. A range of model parameters will be tested to find the combination that best represents the observed surface circulation. This research contributes to a more realistic prediction of this complex physical environment in area of strategic importance for PACFLEET operations. The first objective is to obtain accurate velocity measurements at 15 m depth in the South China Sea and in the Luzon Strait region, in order to achieve more accurate Fall and Winter measurement of the existing current systems and of the upper ocean mass transport through the Luzon Strait. The second objective is to use the existing and new datasets of surface circulation to compare with the results of the ROMS numerical model to evaluate the model ability to reproduce a realistic flow field. A third objective is to utilize drifting platforms to make velocity and temperature profile observations of high amplitude, short period internal waves.