Masaki KAWABE

Professor,
Ocean Circulation Group, Department of Physical Oceanography,
Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo



(He passed away due to sudden illness on 29 January 2012)

Research Field

Current Research

I examine the ocean circulation in the Pacific Ocean.

I have examined the variations of current path and velocity of the Kuroshio, using observation data from tide gauges and ships as well as dynamical models. I clarified that the apparently complicated variations of path of the Kuroshio south of Japan are understood by three typical paths and the cyclic transitions between them. Based on this result, I have studied the feature and dynamics of the Kuroshio, and indicated that not only velocity and transport of the Kuroshio but also the position of the Kuroshio (current path curvature) south of Kyushu play a crucial role in path variations such as the large meander. I also clarified that volume transport of the Kuroshio and its variations are caused by wind in the subtropical North Pacific using a dynamical model, and inferred that the subsurface Kuroshio is blocked by the Nansei Shoto Ridge and flows to the east. I aim to check this point, to clarify the three-dimensional structure of the Kuroshio Circulation, and to understand a dynamics of the path variations such as the large meander of the Kuroshio. The Kuroshio forms the subtropical gyre together with the Kuroshio Extension and the North Equatorial Current, and I also study such the surface and intermediate circulations and typical water masses of the Tropical Water, the Subtropical Mode Water, the North Pacific Intermediate Water, etc.

Another big target of my study is the deep circulation in the Pacific Ocean. The deep water formed in the Atlantic Ocean proceeds in the Antarctic Sea and the South Pacific, and flows into the western North Pacific. The water eventually reaches the eastern North Pacific, upwells to the shallower layer at depths less than 3000 m, and returns to the south; so called "overturning" occurs, and part of the upwelling may reach the upper layer and influence the surface and intermediate circulations. In order to make clear the deep circulation in the North Pacific which is the end part of the global deep circulation, we obtained high-quality hydrographic data and time series of velocity with R/V Hakuho Maru. We analyzed them and clarified that the deep circulation current bifurcates into two branches due to complicated bottom topography at low latitudes in the western Pacific, and their velocities change largely with periods of several months. I will make precise observations and examine a dynamics, to clarify the global feature of the deep circulation and its influence on the shallower circulations.

(Last updated: Jan. 2007)

Refereed Publications:

1. Kawabe, M. (1980): Sea level variations along the south coast of Japan and the large meander in the Kuroshio. Journ. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 36, 97-104.

2. Kawabe, M. (1980): Sea level variations around the Nansei Islands and the large meander in the Kuroshio south of central Japan. Journ. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 36, 227-235.

3. Kawabe, M. (1982): Branching of the Tsushima Current in the Japan Sea. Part I. Data analysis. Journ. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 38, 95-107.

4. Kawabe, M. (1982): Coastal trapped waves in a two-layer ocean: Wave properties when the density interface intersects a sloping bottom. Journ. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 38, 115-124.

5. Kawabe, M. (1982): Branching of the Tsushima Current in the Japan Sea. Part II. Numerical experiment. Journ. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 38, 183-192.

6. Kawabe, M. (1985): El Nino effects in the Kuroshio and western North Pacific. p.31-43. In, El Nino North - Nino effects in the eastern subarctic Pacific Ocean, eds. W.S. Wooster and D.L. Fluharty, Washington Sea Grant.

7. Kawabe, M. (1985): Sea level variations at the Izu Islands and typical stable paths of the Kuroshio. Journ. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 41, 307-326.

8. Kawabe, M. (1986): Transition processes between the three typical paths of the Kuroshio. Journ. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 42, 174-191.

9. Kawabe, M. (1986): Study on the Kuroshio and the Tsushima Current - Variations of the current path. Journ. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 42, 319-331. (in Japanese with English abstract and legends)

10. Kawabe, M. (1987): Spectral properties of sea level and time scales of Kuroshio path variations. Journ. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 43, 111-123.

11. Kawabe, M. and M. Yoneno (1987): Water and flow variations in Sagami Bay under the influence of the Kuroshio path. Journ. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 43, 283-294.

12. Kawabe, M. (1988): Variability of Kuroshio velocity assessed from the sea-level difference between Naze and Nishinoomote. Journ. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 44, 293-304.

13. Kawabe, M. (1988): On the study of large meander of the Kuroshio. Umi to Sora, 64, 157-165. (in Japanese with English abstract and legends)

14. Kawabe, M. (1989): Sea level changes south of Japan associated with the non-large-meander path of the Kuroshio. Journ. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 45, 181-189.

15. Kawabe, M. (1990): A steady model of typical non-large-meander paths of the Kuroshio current. Journ. Oceanogr. Soc. Japan, 46, 55-67.

16. Kawabe, M. (1993): Deep water properties and circulation in the western North Pacific. p.17-37. In, Deep Ocean Circulation, Physical and Chemical Aspects, ed. T. Teramoto, Elsevier Science Publishers.

17. Kawabe, M. (1993): Sea-level variations due to equatorial Rossby waves associated with El Nino. Journ. Phys. Oceanogr., 23, 1809-1822.

18. Yang, S.-K., Y. Nagata, K. Taira, and M. Kawabe (1993): Southward intrusion of the intermediate Oyashio water along the east coast of the Boso Peninsula. I. Coastal salinity-minimum-layer water off the Boso Peninsula. Journ. Oceanogr., 49, 89-114.

19. Yang, S.-K., Y. Nagata, K. Taira, and M. Kawabe (1993): Southward intrusion of the intermediate Oyashio water along the east coast of the Boso Peninsula, Japan. II. Intrusion events into Sagami Bay. Journ. Oceanogr., 49, 173-191.

20. Kawabe, M. (1994): Mechanisms of interannual variations of equatorial sea level associated with El Nino. Journ. Phys. Oceanogr., 24, 979-993.

21. Kawabe, M. and K. Taira (1995): Flow distribution at 165°E in the Pacific Ocean. p. 629-649. In, Biogeochemical Processes and Ocean Flux in the Western Pacific, eds. H. Sakai and Y. Nozaki, Terra Scientific Publishing Company (TERRAPUB).

22. Kawabe, M. (1995): Variations of current path, velocity, and volume transport of the Kuroshio in relation with the large meander. Journ. Phys. Oceanogr., 25, 3103-3117.

23. Kawabe, M. (1996): Model study of flow conditions causing the large meander of the Kuroshio south of Japan. Journ. Phys. Oceanogr., 26, 2449-2461.

24. Yamashiro, T. and M. Kawabe (1996): Monitoring of position of the Kuroshio axis in the Tokara Strait using sea level data. Journ. Oceanogr., 52, 675-687.

25. Kawabe, Mi. and M. Kawabe (1997): Temporal and spatial characteristics of chemical oxygen demand in Tokyo Bay. Journ. Oceanogr., 53, 19-26.

26. Kawabe, Mi. and M. Kawabe (1997): Factors determining chemical oxygen demand in Tokyo Bay. Journ. Oceanogr., 53, 443-453.

27. Kawabe, M. and K. Taira (1998): Water masses and properties at 165°E in the western Pacific. Journ. Geophys. Res., 103, C6, 12,941-12,958.

28. Oka, E. and M. Kawabe (1998): Characteristics of variations of water properties and density structure around the Kuroshio in the East China Sea. Journ. Oceanogr., 54, 605-617.

29. Kawabe, M. (2000): Calculation of interannual variations of sea level in the subtropical North Pacific. Journ. Oceanogr., 56, 691-706.

30. Kawabe, M. (2001): Interannual variations of sea level at the Nansei Islands and volume transport of the Kuroshio due to wind changes. Journ. Oceanogr., 57, 189-205.

31. Imawaki, S., W. Zenk, S. Wijffels, D. Roemmich and M. Kawabe (2001): Oceanic boundary currents. p. 285-306. In, Observing the Oceans in the 21st Century, eds. C. J. Koblinsky and N. R. Smith, GODAE Project Office and Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne.

32. Send, U., R. Weller, S. Cunningham, C. Eriksen, T. Dickey, M. Kawabe, R. Lukas, M. McCartney and S. Osterhus (2001): Oceanographic timeseries observatories. p. 376-390. In, Observing the Oceans in the 21st Century, eds. C. J. Koblinsky and N. R. Smith, GODAE Project Office and Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne.

33. Yamashiro, T. and M. Kawabe (2002): Variations of the Kuroshio axis south of Kyushu in relation to the large meander of the Kuroshio. Journ. Oceanogr., 58, 487-503.

34. Yamashiro, T., M. Kawabe and M. Sakurai (2002): Characteristics of variations in current axis and velocity of the Kuroshio in subsurface layer of the Tokara Strait. Umi to Sora, 77(4), 153-161. (in Japanese with English abstract and legends)

35. Kawabe, M. (2003): Study on variations of current path and transport of the Kuroshio. Umi no Kenkyu (Oceanography in Japan), 12(3), 247-267. (in Japanese with English abstract and legends)

36. Kawabe, M., S. Fujio and D. Yanagimoto (2003): Deep-water circulation at low latitudes in the western North Pacific. Deep-Sea Res., Part I, 50 (5), 631-656.

37. Oka, E. and M. Kawabe (2003): Dynamic structure of the Kuroshio south of Kyushu in relation to the Kuroshio path variations. Journ. Oceanogr., 59 (5), 595-608.

38. Nagano, A. and M. Kawabe (2004): Monitoring of generation and propagation of the Kuroshio small meander using sea level data along the southern coast of Japan. Journ. Oceanogr., 60, 879-892.

39. Kawabe, M. (2005): Variations of the Kuroshio in the southern region of Japan: Conditions for large meander of the Kuroshio. Journ. Oceanogr., 61, 529-537.

40. Kawabe, M., D. Yanagimoto, S. Kitagawa and Y. Kuroda (2005): Variations of the deep western boundary current in Wake Island Passage. Deep-Sea Res., Part I, 52 (7), 1121-1137.

41. Nagano, A. and M. Kawabe (2005): Coastal disturbance in sea level propagating along the south coast of Japan and its impact on the Kuroshio. Journ. Oceanogr., 61, 885-903.

42. Kawabe, M., D. Yanagimoto and S. Kitagawa (2006): Variations of deep western boundary currents in the Melanesian Basin in the western North Pacific. Deep-Sea Res., Part I, 53(6), 942-959.
43. Komaki, K. and M. Kawabe (2007): Structure of the upper deep current in the Melanesian Basin, western North Pacific. La mer, 45(1), 15-22.

44. Komaki, K. and M. Kawabe (2007): Correction method for full-depth current velocity with lowered acoustic Doppler current profiler (LADCP). Journ. Oceanogr., 63, 995-1007.

45. Yanagimoto, D. and M. Kawabe (2007): Deep-circulation flow at mid-latitude in the western North Pacific. Deep-Sea Res., Part I, 54, 2067-2081.

46. Kawabe, M. (2008): Vertical and horizontal eddy diffusivities and oxygen dissipation rate in the subtropical Northwest Pacific. Deep-Sea Res., Part I, 55(3), 247-260.

47. Kawabe, M., Y. Kashino and Y. Kuroda (2008): Variability and linkages of New Guinea Coastal Undercurrent and Lower Equatorial Intermediate Current. Journ. Phys. Oceanogr., in press.

48. Komaki, K. and M. Kawabe (2009): Deep-circulation current through the Main Gap of the Emperor Seamounts Chain in the North Pacific. Deep-Sea Res., Part I, 56, 305-313.

49. Kawabe, M., S. Fujio, D. Yanagimoto and K. Tanaka (2009): Water masses and currents of deep circulation southwest of the Shatsky Rise in the western North Pacific. Deep-Sea Res., Part I, 56, 1675-1687.

50. Kato, F. and M. Kawabe (2009): Volume transport and distribution of deep circulation at 165 W in the North Pacific. Deep-Sea Res., Part I, 56, 2077-2087.

51. Yanagimoto, D., M. Kawabe and S. Fujio (2010): Direct velocity measurements of deep circulation southwest of the Shatsky Rise in the western North Pacific. Deep-Sea Res., Part I, 57, 328-337.

52. Kawabe, M. and S. Fujio (2010): Pacific ocean circulation based on observation. Journ.Oceanogr., 66, 389-403.

53. Kawabe, M. and S. Fujio (2012): Effect of bottom slope in northeastern North Pacific on deep-water upwelling and overturning circulation. Journ. Oceanogr., in press.

Cruise Reports:

1. Taira, K., and M. Kawabe (1994): Preliminary Report of the Hakuho Maru Cruise KH-91-5 and KH-93-2 (WOCE, WESTPAC). Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, 119 pp.

2. Taira, K., and M. Kawabe (1995): Preliminary Report of the Hakuho Maru Cruise KH-94-3 Leg 1 (WESTPAC). Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, 86 pp.

3. Kawabe, M. (1996): Preliminary Report of the Hakuho Maru Cruise KH-95-1. Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, 82 pp.

4. Kawabe, M. (1998): Preliminary Report of the Hakuho Maru Cruise KH-96-4. Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, 68 pp.

5. Kawabe, M. (2002): Preliminary Report of the Hakuho Maru Cruise KH-99-1. Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, 41 pp.

6. Taira, K., and M. Kawabe (2004): Preliminary Report of the Hakuho Maru Cruises KH-00-4 and KH-01-1 leg 1. Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, 57 pp.

7. Kawabe, M. (2005): Preliminary Report of the Hakuho Maru Cruise KH-03-1. Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, 31 pp.

8. Kawabe, M. (2005): Preliminary Report of the Hakuho Maru Cruise KH-04-4 legs 1, 2. Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, 58 pp.

9. Kawabe, M. (2006): Preliminary Report of the Hakuho Maru Cruise KH-05-4. Ocean Research Institute, University of Tokyo, 42 pp.

10. Kawabe, M. (2008): Preliminary Report of the Hakuho Maru Cruise KH-07-1 leg 2. Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 39 pp.

11. Kawabe, M. (2009): Preliminary Report of the Hakuho Maru Cruise KH-08-3 leg 2. Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 40 pp.

12. Kawabe, M. (2012): Preliminary Report of the Hakuho Maru Cruise KH-11-8. Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 44 pp.

(Last updated: Jan. 2012)