The Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation without a role for ocean circulation

Abstract

What causes the pattern of sea surface temperature change that is seen in the North Atlantic Ocean? This naturally occurring quasi-cyclical variation, known as the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), affects weather and climate. Some have suggested that the AMO is a consequence of variable large-scale ocean circulation. Clement et al. suggest otherwise. They find that the pattern of AMO variability can be produced in a model that does not include ocean circulation changes, but only the effects of changes in air temperatures and winds.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Oct 16, 2015
Source ID
10.1126/science.aab3980

Entities

People

  • Amy Clement
  • Bjorn Stevens
  • Gaby Rädel
  • Katinka Bellomo
  • Lisa N. Murphy
  • Mark Cane
  • Thorsten Mauritsen

Organizations

  • Columbia University
  • Max Planck Institute for Meteorology
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Department of Energy
  • University of Miami

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Urban Planning and Geography.