Science · 1983 · 127 citations · 9 references
Natural SciencesEarth SciencesMeteorologyClimatologyPhysical OceanographyTropical MeteorologyEl Niño-southern OscillationEquatorial CirculationEquatorial CurrentsEquatorial WavesEl Niño OscillationEquatorial Pacific CirculationEquatorial Pacific Ocean DynamicsEquatorial UndercurrentSea Surface Topography
The equatorial undercurrent at 159 degrees W decayed during August 1982, partially reversed during September, and rapidly reappeared in January 1983. The virtual disappearance is consistent with the basin-wide adjustment of sea surface slope to the strong westerly winds in the western and central Pacific that caused the 1982-1983 El Niño event.
9