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Stable isotopes in East African precipitation record Indian Ocean zonal mode
Author(s) -
Vuille M.,
Werner M.,
Bradley R. S.,
Chan R. Y.,
Keimig F.
Publication year - 2005
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 - 10.1029/2005gl023876
Subject(s) - precipitation , indian ocean , climatology , indian ocean dipole , mode (computer interface) , subtropical indian ocean dipole , oceanography , ocean current , geology , convection , stable isotope ratio , atmosphere (unit) , atmospheric sciences , geography , meteorology , physics , quantum mechanics , computer science , operating system
Observational stable isotope data and model simulations show that the δ 18 O composition of precipitation in East Africa is closely related to the coupled ocean‐atmosphere system over the Indian Ocean. During the rainy seasons δ 18 O is a very sensitive recorder of the Indian Ocean Zonal Mode (IOZM). The link between δ 18 O and the IOZM is established through adjustments in the large‐scale overturning circulation over the Indian Ocean and associated changes in convective activity and precipitation over East Africa. The IOZM is recorded as significant departures in δ 18 O not only over East Africa but as a dipole mode with opposite sign to the east and west of the Indian Ocean.