The general circulation of the pacific ocean and a brief account of the oceanographic structure of the north pacific ocean: Part II — Thermal regime and influence on the climate

Abstract

The main features of sea‐surface temperature distribution are described and it is noted that most deviations of the isotherms from a zonal orientation are the result of advective and convective effects. In the Subarctic region the salinity structure of the upper layer determines the depth of convective overturn whereas in the Subtropic region it is determined by the thermal structure. From a standpoint of large‐scale atmosphere‐ocean interaction, the equatorial region appears to be of primary importance. Some recent studies, for example, show that the sea temperature anomalies in this region could well influence climate in the middle and higher latitudes as well as in the lower latitudes. A suggestion is made as to which areas of the Pacific Ocean could benefit from an intensive study.

Notes

Invited lecture for the 9th cms Congress, Vancouver, B.C., 27–29 May 1975.

For part I see Atmosphere 13, 133–168.