. | . |
El Nino nuance: A distinct difference between 1997-98 and 2015-16 extreme seasons by Staff Writers Beijing, China (SPX) May 10, 2022
In the climate science community, the 2015/16 El Nino is considered the first extreme El Nino of the 21st century. Climatologists have put forth great effort studying this anomalous season. This event still sparks research interests because of the large geographic region of warm sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies along the equator, but also because several major characteristics are distinct from the 1997/98 extreme El Nino. The most definitive difference concerns warm SST anomalies in the far eastern Pacific (FEP). During the 2015/16 El Nino, warm SST anomalies in the FEP were relatively modest. However, in 1997/98, the SST anomalies in the FEP were twice the magnitude of those in the 2015/16 El Nino. SST anomalies in the FEP not only have impacts on the marine ecosystem in the whole eastern Pacific, but they also affect the socioeconomic status of the countries along South America's west coast. The Pacific coastal climate of Peru and Ecuador, under normal/neutral ENSO conditions, is cool and dry due to intense upwelling of cold water, which leads to nutrient rich ocean water for fish and many marine species. During El Nino seasons, which produce strong warm SST anomalies along the coast, marine food chains and biodiversity are affected significantly. Furthermore, warm SST anomalies tend to increase convection in the region, triggering heavy rainfall and causing flooding. During the 1997/98 El Nino, the devastating rainfall events in Northern Peru caused economic losses to exceed an estimated $3.5 million. Citing the significant global influences of SST anomalies in the FEP, Prof. Jing-Jia Luo and his team, a group of researchers in the Institute for Climate and Application Research (ICAR) of Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology (NUIST), investigated the underlying mechanisms behind the dramatic difference in FEP SST anomalies between the two extreme El Nino events. Advances in Atmospheric Sciences recently published their findings. The study suggests that the modestly warm FEP SST anomalies during the 2015/16 El Nino are closely related to the strong southeasterly wind anomalies that existed at the same time in the southeastern Pacific. These irregular wind patterns resulted from warm SST anomalies in the northeastern Pacific and the concurrent cold SST anomalies in the southeastern Pacific. Researchers also believe that decadal variability in ENSO phases may have also partially contributed to the strong southeasterly wind anomalies in the southeastern Pacific. Thus, ocean circulation and surface evaporation changes restrained the rapid growth of warm SST anomalies in the FEP.
Research Report:Distinct Evolution of the SST Anomalies in the Far Eastern Pacific between the 1997/98 and 2015/16 Extreme El Ninos
Australia, Solomons meet as tempers fray over China deal Sydney (AFP) May 7, 2022 Australia says it remains the "partner of choice" for Solomon Islands following talks with the Pacific state, which has reacted angrily to criticism of its recent security pact with China. Australia's foreign minister, Marise Payne, held talks with her Solomons counterpart in Brisbane on Friday night, three days after the island state's leader made a fierce attack on detractors of his China deal. "We have reiterated our deep concerns about the security agreement with China, including the lack of ... read more
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |