Abstract
The intermittent warm ocean water intrusion into Kagoshima bay is well known as Kyucho phenomenon. We first visualize these phenomena in winter using the satellite thermal infrared images and examine some specifications, especially the distribution patterns, of the intrusion. Then the numerical analysis using a multi-leveled finite difference method is performed for the purpose to investigate the phenomena. It is found from the numerical analysis : (1) The intrusion occurs when the warm water comes into touch with the bay water at the mouth of the bay. (2) The calculated velocity of the warm water intrusion is the same order to the ones estimated by the satellite images. (3) The role of the initial velocity is to increase the intrusion speed. (4) The intrusion speed also increases with the temperature and the thickness of the ocean water. (5) The sea surface wind changes the warm water distribution pattern in the bay. The effects of the warm water contact period at the mouth of the bay and the two successive intrusions are also investigated.
