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Why is the eastern half of the Sea of Okhotsk warmer than the western half?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Vertical physical map showing the seas of Japan and Okhotsk, highlighting underwater basins, trenches, and ridges, as well as the coastlines and boundaries of Russia, China, North Korea, South Korea, and Japan. Major cities, islands, and peninsulas such as Vladivostok, Tokyo, Hokkaido, Sakhalin, Kamchatka Peninsula, and the Kuril Islands are labeled. Water depths are indicated with color shading, and an inset locator map shows the region's position in East Asia.
Sea of Okhotsk

The eastern half of the Sea of Okhotsk is warmer than the western half primarily due to the influence of Pacific Ocean currents that carry warmer water into the sea.1

While the general circulation of water in the sea follows a counterclockwise pattern, these Pacific currents specifically impact the eastern region, raising its temperatures relative to the western part. Additionally, the southwestern portion of the sea experiences comparative warmth due to the inflow of water from the Sea of Japan through the La Perouse (Sōya) Strait.12