Articles:
A Theory for El Niño and the Southern Oscillation
Mark A. Cane; Stephen E. Zebiak
Downloads:
- Title:
- A Theory for El Niño and the Southern Oscillation
- Author(s):
-
Cane, Mark A.
Zebiak, Stephen E. - Date:
- 1985
- Type:
- Articles
- Department:
- Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
- Volume:
- 228
- Permanent URL:
- http://hdl.handle.net/10022/AC:P:12914
- Book/Journal Title:
- Science
- Abstract:
- A coupled atmosphere-ocean model is presented for El Niño and the Southern Oscillation that reproduces its major features, including its recurrence at irregular intervals. The interannual El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycle is maintained by deterministic interactions in the tropical Pacific region. Ocean dynamics alter sea-surface temperature, changing the atmospheric heating; the resulting changes in surface wind alter the ocean dynamics. Annually varying mean conditions largely determine the spatial pattern and temporal evolution of El Niño events.
- Subject(s):
-
Physical oceanography
Atmospheric sciences - DOI:
- 10.1126/science.228.4703.1085
- Item views:
- 139