• Journal of the korean society of oceanography
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.196-200
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• 2002

The time variation in the Kuroshio is studied by use of nine observed distances of the main Kuroshio axis from the Japanese coast. The observed distances over 1975 - 1995 are estimated from the Prompt Report of Oceanographic Conditions published by Hydrographic Department of the Maritime Safety Agency of Japan. It is shown that large sea level difference between Naze and Nishinoomote, which represents the volume transport of the southern inflow south of Kyushu, coincides with larger distance of the Kuroshio in the upstream area from off Kyushu to off eastern Kii Peninsula and smaller distance in the downstream area from off Omae-zaki to off Boso Peninsula. In contrast, large sea level difference between Nishinoomote and Aburatsu, which represents the volume transport of northern inflow south of Kyushu, corresponds to smaller distance in the upstream area and larger distance in the downstream area. Path dynamics of the Kuroshio is discussed with reference to the variation in Volume transport south of Kyushu.