Premium
Temperature variability in the Gulf of California during the last century: A record of the recent strong El Niño
Author(s) -
JuilletLeclerc A.,
Labeyrie L. D.,
Reyss J. L.,
Schrader H.
Publication year - 1991
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 - 10.1029/91gl02284
Subject(s) - upwelling , oceanography , diatom , geology , southern hemisphere , northern hemisphere , structural basin , climatology , environmental science , paleontology
The oxygen isotopic ratio of diatom silica from a box core collected on the eastern slope of the Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California) has been analyzed. This core covers the last 90 years. The isotopic record indicates a progressive and continuous temperature increase of about 8°C from the end of the last century until 1980 with superimposed, rapid temperature fluctuations of 2 to 4°C. Although the Gulf of California is not directly under the influence of El Niño, short temperature increases may be associated with the El Niño events described by Quinn et al. (1987). The longer term changes are attributed to a decrease of upwelling intensity linked to weakening of the trade winds in the Northern Hemisphere.