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The Conductivity–Temperature–Depth (CTD) and acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) measurements along 18°N off the western Luzon in the South China Sea (SCS), collected during a cruise from August 12–14, 2012, were used to explore the vertical structure of an anticyclonic eddy (AE) during the observational period. Further, the French Archiving, Validation and Interpretation of Satellite Oceanographic data (AVISO) sea level anomaly (SLA) and corresponding anomalous surface geostrophic velocity were used to study the temporal evolution of the AE. The vertical structure of the AE along 18°N in August 2012 showed a trough located near 117.5°E. The AE extended vertically downward and its distinct feature was identifiable to 200 m depth. Seasonal variations of SLA indicate that the AE lasted for 5 months (June to early November), going through the growth and nearly stationary period from mid-June to late August and then propagating westward along 18°N with varying phase speeds and shapes to the continental slope off the southeastern Hainan Island during late September to November. Furthermore, T–S characteristics suggest that the AE was generated off the western Luzon. Interannual variations of the summer (July–September) SLA presented by Empirical Orthogonal Function analysis, indicates that the local circulation was enhanced by the anomalous anticyclonic eddy along 18°N in the years of 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2013 during the period from1993 to 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In situ hydrographic and current observations from cruises in 1998 and 1999, together with 20-year (1993–2012) sea level anomaly (SLA) data from satellite altermeter, have been used to study the vertical structure, seasonal development, and interannual variability of the anticyclonic circulation in the southern South China Sea (SCS). The relationship between the anticyclonic circulation and its northern flanking cyclonic eddy are described. Three associated circulation patterns are identified. The anticyclonic circulation is present for an average of 108 ± 30 days per year, while its northern flanking cyclonic eddy is present for an average of 54 ± 25 days per year. The intraseasonal variability of the anticyclonic circulation is intense as a result of advection with the flanking northern cyclone, which accompanies the gyre on average about 60% of the time. The vertical structure of the anticyclonic circulation in 1998 (1999) penetrated much deeper, and its horizontal scope became wider in June (July) than in April. The anticyclonic circulation shows some difference between 1998 and 1999, displaying earlier appearance, more northward position, and non-dipole pattern in 1998, suggesting that the interannual variability of the anticyclonic circulation is related to El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events. The effect of Sverdrup balance via westward propagating Rossby wave on the seasonal development of the anticyclonic circulation has been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Satellite observations of sea surface height (SSH) from 1993 to 2010 reveal a decadal variability of summer circulation in the South China Sea (SCS) with three phase changes in 1998, 2001 and 2006, respectively. There appears to be a large rise during 2006–2010 contributing to unprecedented anomalous high sea levels in 2010. The first leading empirical orthogonal function (EOF) mode of SSH exhibits an anomalous anticyclonic circulation pattern in the western central SCS north of 11°N, thus weakening the northern cyclone of the summer dipole during 2006–2010. The negative phase of the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) may have contributed to the anomalous high sea levels and disappearance of the summer dipole pattern. These variations reflect a linkage between the circulations of the SCS and Pacific Ocean. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Passing eddy center (edge), ISW amplitude is damped to nearly 0 (increased by 50%). • Background current at the eddy center (edge) damps (amplifies) ISW amplitude. • Different effects caused by eddy near eddy edge make ISW amplitude change largely. Internal solitary waves (ISWs) were observed by mooring data in the South China Sea in August and September 2014. Normally the arrival pattern of ISWs is relatively regular and the ISW amplitudes have a positive correlation with the magnitude of semidiurnal tidal currents near the Luzon Strait. However, the ISW amplitudes observed in the second spring tide of September are significantly large when an anti-cyclonic eddy is passing the mooring. When an ISW passes the eddy center, its amplitude reduces to nearly zero, but when an ISW passes the eddy edge, its amplitude increases by 50%. A deepened thermocline always damps the ISW amplitudes, whilst the eddy-induced background currents at different locations may have varied effects on the ISW amplitudes, e.g., the background current at the eddy center tends to damp the ISW amplitude but that at the eddy edge amplifies the ISW amplitude. The different effects of a deepened thermocline and eddy-induced background currents near the eddy edge may damp or amplify the ISW amplitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]