Use of the Nakhodka-Naoetsu submarine cable for studying the temporal variability of the integral water transport in the Sea of Japan

Abstract

Starting in 1996, Russian and Japanese scientists have been conducting a unique experiment - natural electric field monitoring with the Nakhodka (Russia)-Naoetsu (Japan) underwater cable retired from commercial operation. The voltage measured is proportional to the integral water transport across the cable. The integral water transport derived from the cable voltage data for 1997-1999 is characterized by a temporal variability in the synoptic period range and by the existence of annual and semiannual trends. Joint analysis of synoptic variability of water transport and wind stress showed that a correlation exists between the processes under study. The results obtained confirmed the high efficiency of the cable voltage measurements between the ends of this underwater cable JASC as an important component of the monitoring system of synoptic variability of water transport in the Sea of Japan.