The 2011 La Ni\~na: So strong, the oceans fell

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Keywords
Abstract
Global mean sea level (GMSL) dropped by 5 mm between the beginning of 2010 and mid 2011. This drop occurred despite the background rate of rise, 3 mm per year, which dominates most of the 18-year record observed by satellite altimeters. Using a combination of satellite and in situ data, we show that the decline in ocean mass, which explains the sea level drop, coincides with an equivalent increase in terrestrial water storage, primarily over Australia, northern South America, and Southeast Asia. This temporary shift of water from the ocean to land is closely related to the transition from El Ni\~no conditions in 2009/10 to a strong 2010/11 La Ni\~na, which affected precipitation patterns world-wide.
Year of Publication
2012
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
Volume
39
Date Published
10/2012
ISSN Number
0094-8276
DOI
10.1029/2012GL053055
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