Secular variability in the large-scale baroclinic transport of the North Pacific from 1950–1970

Abstract

A time sequence of meridional baroclinic transport (0/1000 db) across the Subtropical gyre of the North Pacific is constructed, based upon available hydrographic data collected from 1950-1970. This time sequence displays significant variability, with a maximum possible range ± 25 % about the long-term mean and a principal time scale of approximately six years. A comparison of this time sequence with that of the Kuroshio (Nitani, 1972) shows good correlation in both amplitude and phase...