Advective-reflective conceptual model for the oscillatory nature of the ENSO

Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1126/science.277.5326.663· OSTI ID:569261

Picaut, J; Masia, F; Penhoat, Y du ^[1]

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1. L`Institut Francais de Recherche Scientifique pour le Developpement en Cooperation-ORSTOM, Noumea (France)

Recent findings about zonal displacements of the Pacific warm pool required a notable modification of the delayed action oscillator theory, the current leading theory for the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Simulations with a linearized coupled ocean-atmosphere model resulted in 3- to 6-year ENSO-like oscillations, with many of the variable model parameters found to be very close to their observed values. This simple model suggests that ocean processes that are ignored or underestimated in the delayed action oscillator theory, such as zonal current convergence, zonal advection of sea surface temperature, and equatorial wave reflection from the eastern ocean boundary, are fundamental to the development of the ENSO, in particular to its manifestations in the central equatorial Pacific.

• OSTI ID: 569261
• Journal Information: Science, Journal Name: Science Journal Issue: 5326 Vol. 277; ISSN SCIEAS; ISSN 0036-8075
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CLIMATE MODELS
SOUTHERN OSCILLATION