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Dominant propagating signals in sea level anomalies in the Southern Ocean
Author(s) -
Pottier C.,
Céron J.P.,
Sudre J.,
Dadou I.,
Belamari S.,
Garçon V.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2004gl019565
Subject(s) - wavenumber , zonal and meridional , geology , climatology , mode (computer interface) , series (stratigraphy) , spectral density , circumpolar star , geophysics , physics , geodesy , oceanography , paleontology , optics , statistics , mathematics , computer science , operating system
We examine the time evolution over an 11 yr time series of the dominant modes of variability in sea level anomalies (SLA) from TOPEX/Poseidon and ERS‐1/2 in the Southern Ocean (35–60°S). We use Hayashi's classical space‐time spectral analysis and a newly developed method combining a Gabor analysis with Hayashi's method. Zonal wavenumbers 3 and 2 emerge unambiguously with null corresponding meridional wavenumber meaning that both associated modes have no meridional propagation. Their power spectrum density (PSD) is maximum within 50–55°S. The 3/0 mode displays a clear westward propagation associated with a 1.04 yr period. The 2/0 pair is characterized by a ∼4.4 yr period and exhibits a clear eastward propagation with a maximal PSD just after the 1998 El Niño peak. Zonal wavenumber‐2 mode is then probably part of the Antarctic Circumpolar Wave.