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Water displacements in the Pacific and the genesis of El Nino cycles

Journal Article · · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)
Sea level observations are used to estimate the amounts of warm water exchanged during the 1982 to 1983 El Nino event, indicating an eastward flux of about 40 x 10/sup 6/ m/sup 3/ s/sup -1/. At the end of El Nino the equatorial Pacific is depleted of warm water which is lost toward higher latitudes. The duration of a complete El Nino cycle is determined by the time required for the slow accumulation of warm water in the western Pacific. The cycle constitutes an energy relaxation of the ocean-atmosphere system.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Hawaii, Honolulu
OSTI ID:
5625614
Journal Information:
J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 90:C4; ISSN JGREA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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