Satellite altimeter monitoring the Kuroshio transport south of Japan

In 1993-1995, we carried out observations of the Kuroshio south of Japan, i ncluding direct current measurements and repeated hydrographic surveys alon g a satellite track of the TOPEX/POSEIDON altimeter. The velocity field of the Kuroshio is determined by geostrophic calculation using the repeated hy drographic survey data, referenced to velocities observed at mid and abyssa l depths. The volume transport of the Kuroshio is estimated from this veloc ity field. The estimated transports of the Kuroshio have a high correlation with sea-surface height differences across the Kuroshio. Having this relat ionship and using the altimeter ata, we obtained a time series of the Kuros hio transport over seven years at ten-day intervals. The Kuroshio transport , excluding contributions by local recirculations, is estimated to be 42 x 10(6) m(3)/sec on average. The correlation between sea-surface height diffe rence and transport provides a practical method of long-term monitoring of the Kuroshio transport using satellite altimetry.