Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Review on the Currents in the South China Sea: Seasonal Circulation, South China Sea Warm Current and Kuroshio Intrusion

  • Published:
Journal of Oceanography Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Researches on the currents in the South China Sea (SCS) and the interaction between the SCS and its adjacent seas are reviewed. Overall seasonal circulation in the SCS is cyclonic in winter and anticyclonic in summer with a few stable eddies. The seasonal circulation is mostly driven by monsoon winds, and is related to water exchange between the SCS and the East China Sea through the Taiwan Strait, and between the SCS and the Kuroshio through the Luzon Strait. Seasonal characteristics of the South China Sea Warm Current in the northern SCS and the Kuroshio intrusion to the SCS are summarized in terms of the interaction between the SCS and its adjacent seas.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Backhaus, J. O. (1985): A three-dimensional model for the simulation of shelf sea dynamics. Dt. hydrogr. Z., 38, 165–187.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai, S. Q. and J. L. Su (1995): A two-layer model for the circulation in the South China Sea. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 17(2), 12–20 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai, S. Q. and W. Z. Wang (1997): A numerical study on the circulation mechanism in the northeastern South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. Tropic Oceanology, 16(1), 7–15 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai, S. Q. and W. Z. Wang (1999): Three-dimensional numerical simulation of South China Sea circulation in winter and summer. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 21(2), 27–33 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai, S. Q., W. Z. Wang and B. Q. Mai (1998a): A couple model of circulation in northeastern South China Sea, Taiwan Strait and its adjacent waters I. Model's setup and its background. Tropic Oceanology, 17(3), 18–27 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cai, S. Q., Q. Z. Huang and B. Q. Mai (1998b): A couple model of circulation in northeastern South China Sea, Taiwan Strait and its adjacent waters II. Experimental results of model. Tropic Oceanology, 17(4), 73–78 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Camerlengo, A. and M. I. Demmler (1997): Wind-driven circulation of peninsular Malaysia's eastern continental shelf. Scientia Marina, 61(2), 203–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan, K. M. (1970): The seasonal variation of hydrological properties in the northern South China Sea. p. 143–162. In The Kuroshio—A Symposium on the Japan Current, East-West Center Press, Honolulu.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chao, S. Y., P. T. Shaw and J. Wang (1995): Wind relaxation as a possible cause of the South China Sea Warm Current. J. Oceanogr., 51(1), 111–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chao, S. Y., P. T. Shaw and S. Y. Wu (1996): Deep water ventilation in the South China Sea. Deep-Sea Res., 43(4), 445–466.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, C. T. A. and S. L. Wang (1998): Influence of intermediate water in the western Okinawa Trough by the outflow from the South China Sea. J. Geophys. Res., 103(C6), 12683–12688.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, J. C. (1983): The in-time distribution of surface currents in offshore areas of China in winter. Tropic Oceanology, 2(2), 97–101 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chern, C. S. and J. Wang (1998): A numerical study of the summertime flow around the Luzon Strait. J. Oceanogr., 54(1), 53–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chu, P. C., H. C. Tseng, J. M. Chen and C. P. Chang (1997a): South China Sea warm pool detected from the Navy's Master Oceanographic Observational Data Set. J. Geophys. Res., 102, 15761–15771.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chu, P. C., S. H. Liu and Y. C. Chen (1997b): Temporal and spatial variability of the South China Sea surface temperature anomaly. J. Geophys. Res., 102, 20937–20955.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chu, P. C., Y. C. Chen and S. H. Lu (1998a): Wind-driven South China Sea deep basin warm-core/cool-core eddies. J. Oceanogr., 54(4), 347–360.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chu, P. C., C. W. Fan, C. J. Lozano and J. L. Kerling (1998b): An airborne expendable bathythermograph survey of the South China Sea, May 1995. J. Geophys. Res., 103(C10), 21637–21652.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chu, P. C., N. L. Edmons and C.W. Fan (1999a): Dynamical mechanisms for the South China Sea seasonal circulation and thermohaline variabilities. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 29, 2971–2989.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chu, P. C., S. H. Lu and W. T. Liu (1999b): Uncertainty of South China Sea prediction using NSCAT and National Centers for Environmental Prediction winds during tropical storm Ernie, 1996. J. Geophys. Res., 104(C5), 11273–11289.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chu, T. Y. (1971): Environmental study of the surrounding waters of Taiwan. Acta Oceanogr. Taiwanica, 1, 15–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dale, W. L. (1956): Wind and drift current in the South China Sea. The Malayan Journal of Tropical Geography, 8, 1–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fan, K. L. (1982): A study of water masses in Taiwan Strait. Acta Oceanogr. Taiwanica, 13, 140–153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fan, K. L. (1984): The branch of Kuroshio in the Taiwan Strait. p. 77–82. In Ocean Hydrodynamics of the Japan and East China Sea, ed. by T. Ichiye, Elsevier, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fan, K. L. and C. Y. Yu (1981): A study of water masses in the seas of southmost of Taiwan. Acta Oceanogr. Taiwanica, 12, 94–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang, G. H. (1995): The structure of the Taiwan-Tsushima-Tsugaru Current System and its relation to the Kuroshio. Marine Sciences, 4, 43–48 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang, G. H. and B. R. Zhao (1988): A note on the main forcing of the northeastward flowing current off the southeast China coast. Prog. Oceanogr., 21, 363–372.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang, G. H., W. D. Fang, Y. Fang and K. Wang (1998): A survey of studies on the South China Sea upper ocean circulation. Acta Oceanogr. Taiwanica, 37(1), 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang, W. D. (1997): Structures of summer circulation in Southern South China Sea. Nanhai Studia Marina Sinica, 12, 217–223 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang, W. D. and G. H. Fang (1998): The recent progress in the study of the southern South China Sea circulation. Advance in Earth Sciences, 13(2), 166–172 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang, W. D., Z. X. Guo and Y. T. Huang (1997): Observation and study on the circulation in the southern South China Sea. Chinese Science Bulletin, 42(21), 2264–2271 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang, W. D., R. Y. Chen and Q. W. Mao (2000): Abrupt strong currents over continental slope of northern South China Sea. Tropic Oceanology, 19(1), 70–75 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fang, Y., G. H. Fang and K. J. Yu (1996): ADI barotropic ocean model for simulation of Kuroshio intrusion into China southeastern waters. Chin. J. Oceanol. Limnol., 14(4), 357–366.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farris, A. and M. Wimbush (1996): Wind-induced Kuroshio intrusion into the South China Sea. J. Oceanogr., 52(6), 771–784.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guan, B. X. (1978a): The warm current in the South China Sea—a current flowing against the wind in winter in the open sea off Guangdong Province. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica, 9(2), 117–127 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Guan, B. X. (1978b): New evidences for the South China Sea Warm Current. Marine Sciences (Suppl.), 100–103 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Guan, B. X. (1978c): The topographic effects of Taiwan Island, China and adjacent bottom relief on the path of the Kuroshio. Studia Marina Sinica, 14, 1–21 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Guan, B. X. (1981): An important feature of the winter vertical thermal structure in the northern South China Sea. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica, 12, 311–320 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Guan, B. X. (1985a): Some temporal and spatial distribution features of the wintertime counter-wind current in the northern South China Sea. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica, 16(6), 429–437 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Guan, B. X. (1985b): Major features of the shallow water hydrography in the East China Sea and Huanghai Sea. J. Oceanogr. of Huanghai & Bohai Seas, 3(4), 1–10 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Guan, B. X. (1986a): Evidence for a counter-wind current in winter off the southeast coast of China. Chin. J. Oceanol. Limnol., 4(4), 319–332.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guan, B. X. (1986b): A sketch of the current structures and eddy characteristics in the East China Sea. Studia Marina Sinica, 27, 1–22 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Guan, B. X. (1993): Winter counter-wind current off the southeastern China coast and a preliminary investigation of its source. p. 1–9. In Proceedings of the Symposium on the Physical and Chemical Oceanography of the China Seas, China Ocean Press, Beijing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guan, B. X. (1997): Warm eddy in the open sea east of Hainan Island. J. Oceanogr. of Huanghai & Bohai Seas, 15(4), 1–7 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Guan, B. X. (1998): A review of study on the South China Sea Warm Current. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica, 29(3), 322–329 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Guan, B. X. and S. J. Chen (1964): The Current Systems in the Near-Sea Area of China Seas, 85 pp. (in Chinese).

  • Guo, Z. X. and W. D. Fang (1988): The Kuroshio in Luzon Strait and its transport during September 1985. Tropic Oceanology, 7(2), 13–19 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Guo, Z. X., T. H. Yang and D. Z. Qiu (1985): The South China Sea Warm Current and the SW-ward current on its right side in winter. Tropic Oceanology, 4(1), 1–9 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hellerman, S. and M. Rosenstein (1983): Normal monthly wind stress over the world ocean with error estimates. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 13 1093–1104.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu, J. Y. and M. S. Liu (1992): The current structure during summer in southern Taiwan Strait. Tropic Oceanology, 11(4), 42–47 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, J. Y., Z. L. Fu and L. X. Wu (1990): Studies on the wintertime current structure and T-S fine-structure in the Taiwan Strait. Chin. J. Oceanol. Limnol., 8(4), 319–327.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, J. Y., H. X. Liang and X. B. Zhang (1999a): Sectional distribution of salinity and its indication of Kuroshio's intrusion in southern Taiwan Strait and northern South China Sea late summer, 1994. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 18(2), 225–236.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, J. Y., H. X. Liang and X. B. Zhang (1999b): Distributional features of temperature and salinity in southern Taiwan Strait and its adjacent sea areas in late summer, 1994. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 18(2), 237–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, J. C. and Q. Z. Huang (1983): An attempt to use “Clustering Analytic” method to differentiate water mass in the Bashi Channel region. Transactions of Oceanology and Limnology, 3, 9–18 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, Q. Z. (1983): Variations of velocity and transport of the Kuroshio in the Bashi Channel. Tropic Oceanology, 2(1), 35–41 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, Q. Z. and Y. R. Zheng (1995): Currents in the northeastern South China Sea and Bashi Channel in March 1992. p. 15–29. In Proceedings of Symposium of Marine Sciences in Taiwan Strait and Its Adjacent Waters, China Ocean Press, Beijing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, Q. Z., W. Z. Wang, Y. S. Li, C. W. Li and M. Mao (1992): General situations of the current and eddy in the South China Sea. Advance in Earth Sciences, 7(5), 1–9 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, Q. Z., W. Z. Wang, Y. S. Li and C. W. Li (1994): Current characteristics of the South China Sea. p. 39–47. In Oceanology of China Seas 1, ed. by D. Zhou et al., Kluwer Academic Publishers, Norwell, Mass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, Q. Z., W. Z. Wang, S. Fu, R. Chen, Y. S. Li and K. W. Chu (1997): A westward current that flows through the north of the Dongsha Islands in summer. Tropic Oceanology, 16(2), 58–66 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hydrographic Office of the U.S. Navy (1945): The surface currents of the South China, Java, Celebes and Sulu Seas. In H.O. Pub. No. 236, Washington, D.C.

  • Levitus, S. (1982): Climatological atlas of the world ocean. NOAA Professional Paper No. 13, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 173 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, L. and B. Y. Wu (1989): Kuroshio's loop in the South China Sea. Taiwan Strait, 8(1), 89–95 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, L., J. L. Su and J. P. Xu (1997): Detached Kuroshio rings in the South China Sea. Tropic Oceanology, 16(2), 42–57 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, L., W. D. Nowlin, Jr. and J. L. Su (1998): Anticyclonic rings from the Kuroshio in the South China Sea. Deep-Sea Res. I, 45, 1469–1482.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, L., R. S. Wu, Y. C. Li and Z. J. Gan (1999): A preliminary analysis of shallow water tidal aliasing in TOPEX/POSEIDON altimetric data. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 21(3), 7–14 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, R. F., Q. C. Zeng, Z. Z. Ji and D. Gun (1992a): Numerical simulation for a northeastward flowing current from area off the eastern Hainan Island to Tsugaru/Soya Strait. La mer, 30, 229–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, R. F., Z. Z. Ji and Q. C. Zeng (1992b): The simulation of the circulation in the western Pacific Ocean. p. 115–126. In Collected Papers of the Symposium on Ocean Circulation, China Ocean Press, Beijing (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, R. F., Q. C. Zeng, Z. J. Gan and W. Z. Wang (1993): Numerical simulation of South China Sea Warm Current and currents in Taiwan Strait in winter. Progress in Natural Sciences, 3(1), 21–25 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, R. F., Q. Z. Huang and W. Z. Wang (1994): Numerical simulation of the upper currents in the South China Sea. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 16(4), 13–22 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, R. F., D. J. Guo and Q. C. Zeng (1996): Numerical simulation of interaction between the Kuroshio and the currents in the northern South China Sea. Progress in Natural Sciences, 6(2), 222–228 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, W. and Q. Y. Liu (1997): A preliminary study of the deformation and its dynamics of western boundary current at a gap. Journal of Ocean University of Qingdao, 27(3), 277–281 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, W., Q. Y. Liu and S. P. Cheng (1996): The effect of break in western boundary on the western boundary current. Acta Oceanogr. Taiwanica, 35(2), 141–153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, W., Q. Y. Liu and H. J. Yang (1998): Principal features of ocean circulation in the Luzon Strait. Journal of Ocean University of Qingdao, 28(3), 345–352 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Q. Y., C. T. Liu, S. P. Zheng, Q. C. Xu and W. Li (1996): The deformation of Kuroshio in the Luzon Strait and its dynamics. Journal of Ocean University of Qingdao, 26(4), 413–420 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Q. Y., H. J. Yang, W. Li and C. T. Liu (2000): Velocity and transport of the zonal current in the Luzon Strait. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 22(2), 1–8 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, X. B. and J. L. Su (1992): A reduced gravity model of the circulation in the South China Sea. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica, 23(2), 167–174 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, X. B. and J. L. Su (1993): A numerical model of winter circulation in shelf seas adjacent to China. p. 288–298. In Proceedings of the Symposium on the Physical and Chemical Oceanography of the China Seas, China Ocean Press, Beijing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ly, L. N. and P. Luong (1997): A mathematical coastal ocean circulation system with breaking waves and numerical grid generation. Applied Mathematical Modelling, 21(10), 633–641.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ly, L. N. and P. Luong (1999): Numerical grids used in a coastal ocean model with breaking wave effects. Journal of Computational and Applied Mathematics, 103(1), 125–137.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma, H. (1987): On the winter circulation of the northern South China Sea and its relation to the large scale oceanic current, part I: Nonwind-driven circulation of the northern South China Sea and numerical experiments. Chin. J. Oceanol. Limnol., 5(1), 9–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mao, M., W. Z. Wang, Q. Z. Huang, S. C. Fu, Y. S. Li and C. W. Li (1992): A three-dimensional numerical simulation of the South China Sea circulation. Tropic Oceanology, 11(4), 34–41 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Mao, Q. W., P. Shi and Y. Q. Qi (1999): Sea surface dynamic topography and geostrophic current over the South China Sea from Geosat altimeter observation. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 21(1), 11–16 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Metzger, E. J. and H. Hurlburt (1996): Coupled dynamics of the South China Sea, the Sulu Sea and the Pacific Ocean. J. Geophys. Res., 101(C5), 12331–12352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morimoto, A., K. Yoshimoto and T. Yanagi (2000): Characteristics of sea surface circulation and eddy field in the South China Sea revealed by satellite altimetric data. J. Oceanogr., 56(3), 331–344.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nitani, H. (1970): Oceanographic conditions in the sea east of the Philippines and Luzon Strait in summers of 1965 and 1966. p. 212–232. In The Kuroshio—A Symposium on the Japan Current, East-West Center Press, Honolulu.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nitani, H. (1972): Beginning of the Kuroshio. p. 129–163. In Kuroshio—Its Physical Aspects, ed. by H. Stommel and K. Yoshida, University of Washington Press, Seattle.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pohlmann, T. (1987): A three dimensional circulation model of the South China Sea. p. 245–268. In Three-Dimensional Models of Marine and Estuarine Dynamics, ed. by J. J. Nihoul and B. M. Jamart, Elsevier, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pu, S. Z., H. L. Yu and S. N. Jiang (1992): Branchings of Kuroshio into Bashi Channel and South China Sea. Tropic Oceanology, 11(2), 1–8 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pu, S. Z., H. L. Yu and S. N. Jiang (1993): The upper layer circulation in the Bashi Channel and the northeastern South China Sea. p. 10–18. In Proceedings of the Symposium on the Physical and Chemical Oceanography of the China Seas, China Ocean Press, Beijing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qian, Y. F., B. C. Zhu and Q. Q. Wang (1999): Influences of sea temperature, salinity and wind stress on simulations of oceanic currents in the South China Sea. Journal of Nanjing Institute of Meteorology, 22(1), 26–31 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiu, D. Z., T. H. Yang and Z. X. Guo (1984): A west-flowing current in the northern part of the South China Sea in summer. Tropic Oceanology, 3(4), 65–73 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Qiu, D. Z., Y. T. Huang, L. M. Chen and Z. X. Guo (1985): Circulation structures in the studied waters. p. 204–230. In Comprehensive Investigations and Studies of the South China Sea (2), ed. by South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Science Press, Beijing (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Qu, T., H. Mitsudera and T. Yamagata (2000): Intrusion of the North Pacific waters into the South China Sea. J. Geophys. Res., 105(C3), 6415–6424.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rong, Z. M. (1994): Analysis on the surface current features in the South China Sea in winter. Marine Forecasts, 11(2), 47–51 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, P. T. (1989): The intrusion of water masses into the sea southwest of Taiwan. J. Geophys. Res., 94, 18213–18226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, P. T. (1991): The seasonal variation of the intrusion of the Philippine Sea water into the South China Sea. J. Geophys. Res., 96, 821–827.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, P. T. (1992): Shelf circulation off the southeast coast of China. Reviews in Aquatic Sciences, 6(1), 1–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, P. T. and S. Y. Chao (1994): Surface circulation in the South China Sea. Deep-Sea Res. 1, 40(11/12), 1663–1683.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, P. T., S. Y. Chao, K. K. Liu, S. C. Pai and C. T. Liu (1996): Winter upwelling off Luzon in the northeastern South China Sea. J. Geophys. Res., 101(C7): 16435–16448.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaw, P. T., S. Y. Chao and L. L. Fu (1999): Sea surface height variations in the South China Sea from satellite altimetry. Oceanologica Acta, 22(1), 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soong, Y. S., J. H. Hu, C. R. Ho and P. P. Niiler (1995): Cold-core eddy detected in South China Sea. EOS, 76(35), 345–347.

    Google Scholar 

  • Su, J. L. and X. B. Liu (1992): The circulation simulation of the South China Sea. p. 206–215. In Collected Papers of the Symposium on Ocean Circulation, China Ocean Press, Beijing (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Su, J. L. and W. Wang (1987): On the sources of the Taiwan Warm Current from the South China Sea. Chin. J. Oceanol. Limnol., 5(4), 299–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Su, J. L., J. P. Xu, S. Q. Cai and O. Wang (1999): Gyres and eddies in the South China Sea. In Onset and Evolution of the South China Sea Monsoon and Its Interaction with the Ocean, ed. by Y. H. Ding and C. Y. Li, China Meteorological Press, Beijing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takano, K., A. Harashima and T. Namba (1998): A numerical simulation of the circulation in the South China Sea—Preliminary results. Acta Oceanogr. Taiwanica, 37(2), 165–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomczak, M. and J. S. Godfrey (1994): Adjacent seas of the Pacific Ocean. p. 173–191. In Regional Oceanography: An Introduction, Pergamon Press, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Uda, M. and T. Nakao (1974): Water masses and current in the South China Sea and their seasonal changes. p. 161–188. In The Kuroshio Proceedings of the Third CSK Symposium, Bangkok.

  • Wang, D. X., F. X. Zhou and Z. H. Qin (1996): A 2.5-layer numerical model for simulating the upper oceanic circulation in the South China Sea, I. Basin seasonal circulation with closed boundary. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 18(5), 30–40 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, D. X., Z. H. Qin and Y. P. Li (1997): Model of upper oceanic circulations in the South China Sea during north-east monsoon. Chin. J. Oceanol. Limnol., 15(3), 242–251.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, D. X., P. Shi, K. Yang and Y. Q. Qi (2000): Assimilation experiment of blending TOPEX altimeter data in the South China Sea. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica (in Chinese with English abstract) (in press).

  • Wang, J. (1985): A steady circulation model in the South China Sea. Journal of Shangdong College of Oceanology, 15(3), 22–31 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J. (1986): Observation of abyssal flows in the Northern South China Sea. Acta Oceanogr. Taiwanica, 16, 36–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J. and C. S. Chern (1987a): The warm-core eddy in the northern South China Sea, I. Preliminary observations on the warm-core eddy. Acta Oceanogr. Taiwanica, 18, 92–103 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J. and C. S. Chern (1987b): The warm-core eddy in the northern South China Sea, II. A simple mechanism for the establishment and development of the warm-core eddy. Acta Oceanogr. Taiwanica, 18, 104–113 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J. and C. S. Chern (1988): On the Kuroshio branch in the Taiwan Strait during wintertime. Prog. Oceanogr., 21, 469–491.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J. and C. S. Chern (1996): Some aspects on the circulation in the northern South China Sea. La mer, 34(3), 246–257.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, L. P., C. J. Koblinsky and S. Howden (2000): Mesoscale variability in the South China Sea from the TOPEX/Poseidon altimetry data. Deep-Sea Res. I, 47(4), 681–708.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, W. Z., Q. Z. Huang, Y. S. Li and C. W. Li (1994): Three-dimensional numerical modeling of the water circulation in South China Sea. p. 91–100. In Oceanology of China Seas 1, ed. by D. Zhou et al., Kluwer Academic Publishers, Norwell, Mass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watts, J. C. D. (1971): A general review of the oceanography of the northern sector of the South China Sea. Hong Kong Fisheries Bulletin, 2, 41–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watts, J. C. D. (1973): Hydrography of the continental shelf area off Hong Kong II. Observations for the year 1970. Hong Kong Fisheries Bulletin, 3, 37–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williamson, G. R. (1970): Hydrography and weather of the Hong Kong fishing ground. Hong Kong Fisheries Bulletin, 1, 43–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, B. Y. (1982): Some problems on circulation study in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan Strait, 1(1), 1–7 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, C. R., P. T. Shaw and S. Y. Chao (1998): Seasonal and interannual variations in the velocity field of the South China Sea. J. Oceanogr., 54(4), 361–372.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, C. R., P. T. Shaw and S. Y. Chao (1999): Assimilating altimetric data into a South China Sea model. J. Geophys. Res., 104(C12), 29987–30005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wyrtki, K. (1961): Physical oceanography of the Southeast Asian water. In NAGA Report Vol. 2, Scientific Result of Marine Investigation of the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand 1959–1961, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California, 195 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, J. P., J. L. Su and D. Z. Qiu (1995): Hydrographic analysis on the intruding of Kuroshio water into the South China Sea. p. 30–44. In Proceedings of Symposium of Marine Sciences in Taiwan Strait and Its Adjacent Waters, China Ocean Press, Beijing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, X. Z., Z. Qiu and H. C. Chen (1982): The general descriptions of the horizontal circulation in the South China Sea. p. 137–145. In Proceedings of the 1980 Symposium on Hydrometeology of the Chinese Society of Oceanology and Limnology, Science Press, Beijing (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yanagi, T., T. Takao and A. Morimoto (1997): Co-tidal and co-range charts in the South China Sea derived from satellite altimetry data. La mer, 35, 85–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, H. J. and Q. Y. Liu (1998): A summary on ocean circulation study of the South China Sea. Advance in Earth Sciences, 13(4), 364–368 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, K., P. Shi, D. X. Wang, X. B. You and R. F. Li (2000): Numerical study about the mesoscale multi-eddy system in the northern South China Sea in winter. Acta Oceanologica Sinica, 22(1), 27–34 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu, M. G. and J. Z. Liu (1993): Current system and circulation pattern in the South China Sea. Marine Forecasts, 10(2), 13–17 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan, S. Y. and J. Z. Deng (1996): A primary study of winter and summer upwind flow mechanism in the northern part of South China Sea I. Monsoon upwind flow diagnostic equations and criterions. Tropic Oceanology, 15(3), 44–51 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan, S. Y. and J. Z. Deng (1997a): A primary study of winter and summer upwind flow mechanism in the northern part of South China Sea II. Monsoon upwind flow mechanism. Tropic Oceanology, 16(3), 63–70 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan, S. Y. and J. Z. Deng (1997b): Numerical simulation of summer upwind flow in the northern South China Sea. Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica, 28(2), 192–197 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yuan, S. Y. and J. Z. Deng (1998): Numerical experiments of winter upwind flow in northern South China Sea. Tropic Oceanology, 17(1), 26–32 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, Q. C., R. F. Li and Z. Z. Li (1989): Calculation of the monthly mean circulation in the South China Sea. Scientia Atmospherica Sinica, 13, 127–138 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, Q. C., R. F. Li, Z. Z. Ji, P. F. Ke and Z. J. Gan (1992): The simulation of monthly mean circulation of the South China Sea. p. 127–165. In Collected Papers of the Symposium on Ocean Circulation, China Ocean Press, Beijing (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, F., Q. Z. Huang, W. Z. Wang, Y. S. Li and K. W. Chau (1994): Diagnostic calculations for the seasonal-averaged current field in the deep water zone of the South China Sea. Tropic Oceanology, 13(3), 8–16 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, F., W. Z. Wang, Q. Z. Huang, Y. S. Li and K. W. Chau (1995): Summary current structure in Bashi Channel. p. 65–72. In Proceedings of Symposium of Marine Sciences in Taiwan Strait and Its Adjacent Waters, China Ocean Press, Beijing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, M. Y., Y. S. Li, W. Z. Wang and Q. Z. Huang (1995): A three dimensional numerical circulation model of the South China Sea in winter. p. 73–82. In Proceedings of Symposium of Marine Sciences in Taiwan Strait and Its Adjacent Waters, China Ocean Press, Beijing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, Y. C. and Y. F. Qian (1999): Numerical simulation of the regional ocean circulation in the coastal areas of China. Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, 16(3), 443–450.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhong, H. L. (1990): Structures of the density circulation. p. 215–241. In Report of Decadal Hydrographyic Series Survey of the Shelf and Adjacent Waters of the Northern South China Sea, ed. by Y. L. Ma et al., Ocean Press, Beijing (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, F. X., J. J. Shen, A. L. Berestov and A. D. Marushkevich (1995): Seasonal features of large-scale geostrophic circulations in the South China Sea. Tropic Oceanology, 14(4), 9–14 (in Chinese with English abstract).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Oceanography and Environmental Science, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of China for Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Fujian, 361005, China

    Jianyu Hu & Huasheng Hong

  2. Center for Atmospheric and Oceanic Studies, Faculty of Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan

    Jianyu Hu

  3. Center for Atmospheric and Oceanic Studies, Faculty of Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, 980-8578, Japan

    Hiroshi Kawamura

  4. South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 164 W. Xingang Rd., Guangzhou, 510301, China

    Yiquan Qi

Authors
  1. Jianyu Hu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hiroshi Kawamura
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Huasheng Hong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yiquan Qi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hu, J., Kawamura, H., Hong, H. et al. A Review on the Currents in the South China Sea: Seasonal Circulation, South China Sea Warm Current and Kuroshio Intrusion. Journal of Oceanography 56, 607–624 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011117531252

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011117531252

Search

Navigation