Multichannel singular spectrum analysis of the axial atmospheric angular momentum

Abstract

Earth's variable rotation is mainly produced by the variability of the AAM (atmospheric angular momentum). In particular, the axial AAM component χ3, which undergoes especially strong variations, induces changes in the Earth's rotation rate. In this study we analysed maps of regional input into the effective axial AAM from 1948 through 2011 from NCEP/NCAR reanalysis. Global zonal circulation patterns related to the LOD (length of day) were described. We applied MSSA (Multichannel Singular Spectrum Analysis) jointly to the mass and motion components of AAM, which allowed us to extract annual, semiannual, 4-month, quasi-biennial, 5-year, and low-frequency oscillations. PCs (Principal components) strongly related to ENSO (El Nino southern oscillation) were released. They can be used to study ENSO-induced changes in pressure and wind fields and their coupling to LOD. The PCs describing the trends have captured slow atmospheric circulation changes possibly related to climate variability.

Keywords

• Earth's variable rotation
• Atmospheric circulation
• AAM (Atmospheric angular momentum)
• MSSA (Multichannel singular spectrum analysis)
• ENSO (El Nino southern oscillation)
• LOD (Length of day)