THE CURRENT STRUCTURE DURING SUMMER IN SOUTHERN TAIWAN STRAIT

Based on measured current data and the distributions of temperature, salinity and density, the summertime current structure of the surface layer, intermediate layer and lower layer in Southern Taiwan Strait (STS) has been described. The South China Sea Warm Current extends to the northeast along the central part of the STS, but might be affected by low salinity sea water in the surface of the nearshore area. The northern section of the South China Sea Branch of Kuroshio might influence the seuthern area of the STS and then separate into two branches, of which one goes along the western coast of Taiwan Island.