A Theory for El Niño and the Southern Oscillation
- 31 May 1985
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science
- Vol. 228 (4703) , 1085-1087
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.228.4703.1085
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.This publication has 16 references indexed in Scilit:
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