Wind-induced Spatial and Temporal Variations in the Thermohaline Front in the Jeju Strait, Korea

We investigated the short-term and local changes in the thermohaline front in the Jeju Strait, Korea, which is usually formed during winter and spring. To do so, we compared Real-Time Observation System by Ferryboat (RTOSF) data with wind data and routinely collected oceanographic data. During February and April 2007, a thermohaline front formed in the Jeju Strait around the 13-14°C isotherms and 33.0-33.5 isohalines. The thermohaline was clearly weakened and began moving southward in mid-March. The variations in the surface temperature and salinity showed a continuous north-south oscillation of the thermohaline front with a period of 3-10 days. The speed of the short-term and local fluctuation of thermohaline front was about 5-30 cm/s. We confirmed these findings by examining the variation in the maximum temperature gradient and 14°C isotherm during the study period. These short-term and local changes had not been previously detected using serial oceanographic and satellite data. Analysis of local wind data revealed a northerly wind fluctuation with a period of 3-10 days, which was clearly related to the short-term and local changes in the thermohaline front. The short-term and local changes of the thermohaline front in the Jeju Strait originated from local changes in the winter monsoon in this area.