Abstract
The mean state of the axis of the Kuroshio shows a sine wave, with a wave length of about 1000 km. This length corresponds to the one between the Ryûkyû and Izu submarine ridges, and on the ridges the axis shows little fluctuation of path. And as the speed of the Kuroshio becomes weak, the amplitude of the trough of the wavy meander of the Enshismada becomes large, or the cold water region grows up. The period of this fluctuation is about 5 years or so, and the period of the western mass transport by the wind stress over the North Pacific is also of such a magnitude.
The phenomena of the meander of the Kuroshio current on such a scale demand the eddy diffusivity to be of the order of the magnitude of 107∼108cm2sec-1.
The statistical predication of the path of the Kuroshio can not be done, for the positions of the axis have no significant correlations to each other.
