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Cited by 14Oceanographic and Atmospheric ProcessesClimate variability and modelsMeteorological Phenomena and Simulations

Seasonal Propagation of Sea Level along the Equator in the Atlantic

Bunge, Lucia, Clarke, Allan J.·2009·Journal of Physical Oceanography
DOI 10.1175/2008jpo4003.1
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Abstract

In the equatorial Atlantic the sea surface height (SSH) anomaly field is dominated by an annual signal propagating eastward. This signal has been previously interpreted in terms of propagating waves. In this article it is argued that this propagating signal is not a free equatorial Kelvin wave because the phase velocity observed is too small compared to first, second, or third baroclinic mode Kelvin waves, and is not the result of an equatorial forced wave because the zonal wind stress does not show a similar propagation. Rather, it is suggested that the eastward propagation in SSH is due to the sum of two independent modes of variability: one mainly driven by the wind stress curl off the equator, and the other driven by the zonal wind stress along the equator. These two modes are uncorrelated in time and space and therefore can be conveniently separated by an empirical orthogonal function analysis of the equatorial Atlantic sea surface height. The first mode explains 74% of the variance, is one-signed in longitude, and is interpreted as the variability of the warm water volume above the thermocline. The second mode explains 24% of the variance, consists of an east–west tilt along the equator, and is driven by variations of the zonal equatorial wind stress.

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Crossref · 10.1175/2008jpo4003.1

Cites

17 of 17 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • There is a discrepancy between theoretical Kelvin wave phase speeds and the eastward propagation of sea level along the equator during boreal summer.

    “However, Bunge and Clarke [2009] found a discrepancy between theoretical Kelvin waves phase speeds and the eastward propagation of sea level along the equator during boreal summer.”

    From Seasonal cycle in the upper equatorial Atlantic Ocean (2009) · cites this paper as Bunge and Clarke, 2009

  • Bunge and Clarke (2009) found that eastward propagation of sea level from April to July at the equator is too slow compared to theoretical phase speeds of Kelvin waves of the first few baroclinic modes.

    “Bunge and Clarke [2009] found that eastward propagation of sea level from April to July at the equator is too slow compared to theoretical phase speeds of Kelvin waves of the first few baroclinic modes.”

    From Seasonal cycle in the upper equatorial Atlantic Ocean (2009) · cites this paper as Bunge and Clarke, 2009

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Authors
Bunge, L., & Clarke, A. J.
Affiliations
Florida State University (US)
Corresponding author
Clarke, Allan J.
ORCID
Clarke, Allan J.
Venue
Journal of Physical Oceanography
Publisher
American Meteorological Society
Published
2009-04-01
Volume
39
Issue
4
Pages
1069-1074
ISSN
  • 0022-3670 (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-0485
DOI
10.1175/2008jpo4003.1
OpenAlex
W2166541356
Cited by
14
References
19
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI
0.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Journal of Physical Oceanography (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Oceanography › Oceanographic and Atmospheric Processes
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Climate variability and models
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Atmospheric Science › Meteorological Phenomena and Simulations
Keywords
equatorial Atlantic, sea level anomalies, equatorial Kelvin waves, wind stress curl, zonal wind stress, baroclinic modes, empirical orthogonal functions, thermocline, eastward propagation

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