Marine Ecosystems Research Department - jamstec japan agency ...

Japan Marine Science and Technology Center
Ocean Observation and Research Department
Unions, and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission of UNESCO. The TRITON project
is the CLIVAR observing system, and also contributes
to the Global Ocean Observing System
(GOOS) and Global Climate Observing System
(GCOS). We also collaborate with the Agency for the
Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT),
Indonesia, and the National Institute of Oceanography
(NIO), India.
JAMSTEC started the deployment at four TRITON
sites along E by R/V Mirai in March . The
originally planned TRITON array of sites in the
Pacific and Indian Oceans was completed in August
(Photo , Fig. ). The TRITON data combined
with TAO data are distributed through GTS (Global
Telecommunication System) and from the TRITON
web page at JAMSTEC (http://www.jamstec.go.jp/jamstec/TRITON/)
and the TAO web page at PMEL
(http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/tao/).
TAO/TRITON data have been used widely for monitoring
the evolution of the - El Niño event
as shown in Fig. and for initializing ENSO forecast
models at operational weather and climate centers
around the world. Warm water accumulated in the
Photo 1 Scientists, marine technicians and crew on R/V Mirai celebrate
the completion of originally planed TRITON array
(August, 2002).
Fig. 2 TRITON array as of August 2002.
Five Day Zonal Wind, SST, and 20˚C Isotherm Depth Anomalies 2˚S to 2˚N Average
Zonal Wind (m s -1 ) SST (˚C) 20˚C Isotherm Depth (m)
2003 2002
2001
J
J
J
J
A
A
S
S
O
O
N
N
D
D
J
J
F
F
M
M
A
A
M
M
J
J
J
J
A
A
S
S
O
O
N
N
D
D
J
J
F
F
M
M
A
A
M
M
J
J
140˚E 180˚ 140˚W 100˚W 140˚E 180˚ 140˚W 100˚W 140˚E 180˚ 140˚W 100˚W
-8 -4 0 4 8 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
-80 -40 0 40 80
TAO Project Office /PMEL/NOAA Jun 12 2003
Fig. 3 Anomalies of zonal surface wind, sea surface temperature, and 20C isotherm depth along the equator.
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