Opposing oceanic and atmospheric ENSO influences on the Ross Sea Region, Antarctica

Here we discuss the cause and effect of opposing atmospheric and oceanic ENSO forcings in the Ross Sea, that lead to a net warming in the eastern Ross Sea and a net cooling in the western Ross Sea during El Niño years. During La Niña years the opposite is observed. The oceanic ENSO effect causes a ~...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: N. A. N. Bertler, T. R. Naish, P. A. Mayewski, P. J. Barrett
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2006
Subjects:
Science
Q
Geology
QE1-996.5
Dynamic and structural geology
QE500-639.5
Antarctic
Ross Sea
Amundsen Sea
Antarc*
Antarctica
Online Access:https://doaj.org/article/92f3e773f6144ae69ced58ffa235062f
Description
Summary:Here we discuss the cause and effect of opposing atmospheric and oceanic ENSO forcings in the Ross Sea, that lead to a net warming in the eastern Ross Sea and a net cooling in the western Ross Sea during El Niño years. During La Niña years the opposite is observed. The oceanic ENSO effect causes a ~1 K warming with a 3 month lag during El Niño years in comparison to La Niña time periods. During El Niño events, the atmospheric ENSO effect leads to a shift and weakening of the Amundsen Sea Low, causing enhanced import of colder West Antarctic air masses into the western Ross Sea. We find that this indirect ENSO effect is about one order of magnitude stronger (up to 15 K) in the western Ross Sea than the direct effect (~1 K), leading to a net cooling during El Niño and net warming during La Niña events.

Similar Items