Water circulation in a fringing reef located in a monsoon area: Kabira Reef, Ishigaki Island, Southwest Japan |
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Authors: | H. Yamano H. Kayanne N. Yonekura H. Nakamura K. Kudo |
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Affiliation: | (1) Department of Geography, University of Tokyo, Hongo, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113 Japan, JP;(2) Japan Marine Science and Technology Center, Natsushima, Yokosuka 237 Japan, JP |
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Abstract: | Kabira Reef is a well-developed fringing reef situated in a monsoon area where the dominant wind direction changes seasonally: south in summer and north in winter. Circulation in this reef shows a marked wind influence. The circulation pattern under calm wind conditions is characterized by an inflow of ocean waters into the moat over the reef crest and an outflow through a prominent channel. Current vectors change according to wind conditions, and this pattern is weakened and strengthened under southern and northern wind conditions, respectively. We establish a simple model to explain these circulation patterns with two factors: wind and a fundamental circulation pattern under calm conditions. We estimate the ratios of the component of wind to that of the fundamental circulation. The ratios reach 3 and 10 in absolute values under southern and northern wind conditions, respectively. These results can be applied to water circulation throughout the year, with the southern wind-driven circulation dominant in the summer, and the northern wind-driven circulation dominant in the winter. While trade wind conditions often result in a constant circulation pattern, monsoonal wind conditions make the circulation pattern vary according to the seasons. Accepted: 12 September 1997 |
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Keywords: | Water circulation Fringing reef Monsoonal wind Southwest Japan |
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