GEOG 102 Chapter Notes - Chapter 6: Sea Surface Temperature, Equatorial Counter Current, Walker Circulation
Document Summary
The walker circulation, southern oscillation, and el nino. The walker circulation: zonal east to west circulation along the equator. Ascent of air in western pacific (region of indonesia) Descent of air in eastern pacific (coast of south america) Controlled by sea surface temperature variations in eastern and western pacific. Sea surface temperatures change, heat content from ocean transfers into the atmosphere (in the form of atmospheric pressure changes), then changes in the distribution of pressure across the pacific basin occur. Where air descends (south america): less cloud cover and greater pressure. Descends because of instability in the flow. Trade winds pull water across the pacific water is replaced with colder water below (upwelling) cooler currents and land on coast of south. Southern oscillation: east to west pressure variations across equatorial pacific. Changes in pressure pattern and trade wind strength (direction) Southern oscillation index (soi): standardized pressure difference between tahiti and darwin. Quantifies the strength of an enso event.
