Module 3 Flashcards
Vertical structure of ocean (starting from the surface)
Warm Mixed Layer
Thermocline
Cold Abyss
How is the ocean heated?
From above by incident solar radiation
Southern Oscillation Index
Measure of surface pressure difference between Tahiti and Darwin, Australia
Ekman Spiral
Current structure that develops near the ocean surface, driven directly by the effects of the wind, the Coriolis force, and friction
Ekman Transport
Average amount of water carried by Ekman Spiral
Correlation Coefficient (r)
A number between 1 and -1 which measures if two time series are in or out of phase with each other
When r>0…
Two time series are in phase with each other
When r<0…
Two time series are out of phase with each other
When r=0…
Two time series are not correlated
Walker Circulation
Trade winds from east to west push warm water towards Australia which results in more heat in the air and more clouds and rain. Meanwhile, towards Tahiti, upwelling brings up cold water to replace the warm water and cool air descends in the area.
Between the Tahiti and Darwin anomalies, what are their pressures?
Tahiti: Normally high pressure
Darwin: Normally low pressure
p-value
Shows a measure of the probability that two time series are correlated by pure chance and if the correlation coefficient is statistically significant.
Ocean gyres
Systems of ocean currents in closed circulations (moving in a circle)
The 5 Major Gyres
Indian Ocean North Atlantic North Pacific South Atlantic South Pacific
What dynamics are responsible for ocean gyres?
Pressure Gradient Force
Coriolis Force
Geostrophic balance
Friction
Coastal Upwelling
Currents moving to the right of wind (coriolis force), pushing warm water away, and colder water is drawn up to the surface
Equatorial Upwelling
Trade winds blow from Northeast and Southeast and converge on the equator, blowing West, resulting in cold water coming up just north and south of the equator
Upwelling drives what kind of production?
Biological (i.e, high chlorophyll, phytoplankton, etc)
Bjerknes Feedback during La Nina
Strong trade winds lead to a stronger equatorial upwelling and a stronger walker circulation
Bjerknes Feedback during El Nino
Weak trade winds lead to a weaker equatorial upwelling and a weaker walker circulation
When conditions are normal between Tahiti and Darwin, their pressure anomalies are…
Both zero
During La Nina conditions with the Tahiti and Darwin pressure anomalies…
The trade winds are strong
During El Nino conditions with the Tahiti and Darwin pressure anomalies…
The trade winds are weakened or reversed
Nino3.4 Index
Average sea surface temperature anomaly in central tropical Pacific
In the Walker Circulation during El Nino, where does warm water shift?
Central Pacific
This results in less rain in Asia and Australasia
Forecast ensemble
A collection of ensemble members at different starting points to predict multiple outcomes of the climate system for a better estimate
Kelvin Waves
Waves which only move eastward on the equator
Rely on gravity and coriolis force
