Kuroshio Extension

E22758

The Kuroshio Extension is a powerful eastward-flowing ocean current in the North Pacific that continues the Kuroshio Current and strongly influences regional climate and weather patterns.

Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form As subject As object
Kuroshio Extension east of Japan 0 1

Statements (53)

Predicate Object
instanceOf geophysical fluid feature
ocean current
western boundary current extension
affects fisheries in the western and central North Pacific
approximateLatitude 35°N–40°N
approximateLongitudeRange 140°E–180°
associatedWith cold-core eddies
fronts and meanders
oceanic jets
warm-core eddies
connectedTo Kuroshio–Oyashio confluence region
continuationOf Kuroshio Current
endsNear central North Pacific subtropical gyre
flowsDirection eastward
hasProperty energetic jet-like flow
high eddy activity
high mesoscale variability
strong current speed
strong sea surface temperature gradients
hemisphere Northern Hemisphere
influences East Asian climate
North American west coast climate
North Pacific storm tracks
heat transport in the North Pacific
marine ecosystems in the North Pacific
mid-latitude air–sea interaction
mid-latitude atmospheric circulation
regional climate
regional weather patterns
sea surface temperature distribution in the North Pacific
locatedIn Pacific Ocean
surface form: North Pacific Ocean

mid-latitude North Pacific
monitoredBy Argo floats
satellite altimetry
satellite sea surface temperature observations
ship-based hydrographic sections
surface drifters
oceanBasin Pacific Ocean
partOf North Pacific Ocean circulation
North Pacific Gyre
surface form: North Pacific subtropical gyre
relatedTo Gulf Stream
surface form: Gulf Stream Extension

North Pacific Current
startsNear Boso Peninsula region of Japan
Kii Peninsula region of Japan
east coast of Japan
studiedIn climate science
physical oceanography
transports heat from low to higher latitudes
subtropical water masses
warm water
typicalSurfaceSpeed 1–2 m/s in core regions
typicalWidth 100–200 km
westernBoundary region east of Japan

Referenced by (4)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Japan Current connectedTo Kuroshio Extension
Japan Current formsFeature Kuroshio Extension
this entity surface form: Kuroshio Extension east of Japan
Philippine Sea gyre relatedTo Kuroshio Extension
Kuroshio Current terminatesIn Kuroshio Extension