Effects of stratification and bottom topography on the Kuroshio path variation south of Japan. Part II: Path transitions in a multiple equilibrium regime

The effects of stratification and bottom topography on the Kuroshio path transitions in a multiple equilibrium regime due to a short-term velocity increase are examined using a two-layer inflow-outflow model with simplified coastal geometry and bottom topography. For an imposed velocity increase on a straight-path state, the typical transition from a straight to a meandering path occurs with or without bottom topography through the same process as in a barotropic case with flat bottom.