Atmospheric Sciences Seminar

September 5, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Mānoa Campus, Marine Sciences Building, MSB 100 Add to Calendar

Could an El Niño happen in the Indian Ocean?

Dr. Pedro DiNezio
Research Scientist
Institute for Geophysics
University of Texas

Seminar Date: Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Refreshments: 3:00pm at MSB courtyard
Free Cookies, Coffee & Tea Provided
(Please Bring Your Own Cup)
Seminar Time: 3:30pm
Location: Marine Sciences Building, MSB 100

Abstract:
The Indian Ocean is expected to warm following a pattern conducive to stronger year-to-year climate variability; however model projections are equivocal about this. Our team has explored this question by looking at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), the period about 21,000 years ago when ice sheets reached their maximum extent. Paleoclimate proxies and model simulations suggest that the Indian Ocean experienced similar changes in background conditions as predicted for the future, albeit under a cooler mean state. In this seminar I will show how these changes can favor the emergence of an El Niño-like mode of climate variability. I will also present new paleoclimatic evidence supporting a dramatic increase in climate variability in the eastern Indian Ocean consistent with the proposed El Niño mode. To conclude I will discuss a potential activation of this mode under continued greenhouse warming.


Event Sponsor
SOEST Atmospheric Sciences, Mānoa Campus

More Information
(808) 956-8775, SEE FLYER (PDF)

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