1. Kuroshio Current
Alvan Chao

2. Kuroshio Warm water current 24°C 50-300 cm/s 400 m deep 100 km wide
Similar to the Gulf Stream
Japan current
Black stream

3. Flow Flows from Taiwan to Japan Splits off the coast of Canada
Forms the Alaska and California Currents
Western boundary current

4. Rings Produces both warm and cold rings.
Warm rings are generally 150 kilometers in diameter
Cold rings drift southwestward into the Western Pacific Ocean.
Can move northwest and reabsorbed into the Kuroshio.

5. Fluctuations Seasonal Strongest from May to August
Recedes in late summer and fall
Increases from January to February
Currents deviate

6. Importance Climate Biology Fisheries Warming effect on Japan
Phytoplankton blooms
Fish populations
Coral Reefs
Fisheries
Tuna

7. Sources http://swfsc.noaa.gov/publications/CR/1973/7302.PDF