Outline of Main Research Theme for
Research Vessel “MIRAI” during fiscal year 2008

1. Cruise Code :
MR08-02

2. Main research theme:
Study on the air-sea interaction in the tropics

3. Objectives:
It is well known that active convection over the tropical western Pacific warm pool region plays a role of heat engine for the atmospheric circulation over the entire globe because of their huge amount of heat release. In particular, deep cloud system often develops in association with the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), and sometimes develops into tropical cyclone. The aim of this cruise is to study the development mechanism of precipitation clouds associated with these phenomena.

4. Outline of observation:
In order to investigate the development mechanism of mesoscale cloud systems, various atmospheric and oceanic observations which include Doppler radar (continuous volume scan), radiosonde (8 times/day), CTD (8 times/day, down to 500 m depth) and so on will be intensively conducted as the stationary observation at the fixed site for about one month. Observational site will be determined based on satellite-based cloud data and numerical model before the cruise. Before arriving at the site, we may cruise along the 130E line to deploy several Argo floats.

5.Main research area:
Tropical western Pacific
Stationary observation site will be determined within the range of (130E-140E, 5N-15N) before the cruise.

6.Cruise period:
From 26 May to 30 June 2008 (35 days)

7.Ports of call (tentative):
Port of departure:
Sekinehama
Port of call : Guam

8.Proponent of main research theme:
Kunio Yoneyama (Tropical Meteorology)

9. Contact person for questionnaire on this cruise:
Kunio Yoneyama
Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC)
Institute of Observational Research for Global Change (IORGC)
2-15, Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
Phone : +81-46-867-9465 FAX : +81-46-867-9255
E-mail :

10. Remarks :
On the same time period, IORGC will conduct the meteorological observation at Palau Islands as well as other small islands in the tropical western Pacific region as the field campaign PALAU2008. Therefore, it is expected that observation network will be constructed and these data will be available to use.