A note on the abyssal circulation in the Japan Sea: Suggestion from rotating-tank experiments

In this study, we revisited the rotating-tank experiments reported by Faller (1960) and Senjyu (1988) and qualitatively discussed the abyssal circulation in the Japan Sea by focusing on the geometric similarity of their partial barrier experiments. A point source of water near the apex of the pie-shaped rotating-tank formed the so called Stommel-Arons type circulation pattern. The circulation in the partial barrier experiments basically consisted of a cyclonic circulation and a western boundary current in the southern two basins separated by a partial barrier extending from the rim. Recent observations on direct current in the abyssal Japan Sea have revealed a cyclonic circulation and strong currents near the western boundary in the southern two basins: the Yamato and Tsushima Basins. These similarities suggest the Stommel-Arons type circulation in the abyssal Japan Sea, though the complex bottom topography and eddy activity are likely to modify the basic circulation pattern significantly.