Tropical pacific decadal variability in subsurface temperature

The nature decadal variability of the equatorial Pacific subsurface temperature is examined in the control simulation with the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory coupled model CM2.1. The dominant mode of the subsurface temperature variations in the equator Pacific features a 20–40 year period and is North-South asymmetric about the equator. Decadal variations of the thermocline are most pronounced in the southwest of the Tropical Pacific. Decadal variation of the north-south asymmetric Sea Surface wind in the tropical Pacific, especially in the South Pacific Convergence, is the dominant mechanism of the nature decadal variation of the subsurface temperature in the equatorial Pacific.