PDF 4510.pdf | Request a copy Full text restricted

Abstract

The linear trends in oceanic temperature from 1960 to 1999 are estimated using the new Indian Ocean Thermal Archive (IOTA), a compilation of historical temperature profiles. Widespread surface warming is found, as in other data sets, and reproduced in IPCC climate model simulations for the 20th century. This warming is particularly large in the subtropics, and extends down to 800 m around 40–50°S. Models suggest the deep-reaching subtropical warming is related to a 0.5° southward shift of the subtropical gyre driven by a strengthening of the westerly winds, and associated with an upward trend in the Southern Annular Mode index. In the tropics, IOTA shows a subsurface cooling corresponding to a shoaling of the thermocline and increasing vertical stratification. Most models suggest this trend in the tropical Indian thermocline is likely associated with the observed weakening of the Pacific trade winds and transmitted to the Indian Ocean by the Indonesian throughflow.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Alory, G and Wijffels, SE and Meyers, G
Keywords:	Indian Ocean; temperature; trend.
Journal or Publication Title:	Geophysical Research Letters
Publisher:	American Geophysical Union
ISSN:	0094-8276
DOI / ID Number:	10.1029/2006GL028044,
Item Statistics:	View statistics for this item

Actions (login required)

Item Control Page