Topological Origin of Equatorial Waves (IMAGE)

Brown University

Topological Origin of Equatorial Waves

Caption

New research shows that equatorial waves -- pulses of warm ocean water that play a role in regulating Earth's climate -- are driven by the same dynamics as the exotic materials known as topological insulators. Equatorial Kelvin waves, which are responsible for the El Nino-Southern Oscillation, travel from West to East. Another type of equatorial wave--Rossby waves--move in the opposite direction.

Credit

Deplace/Marston/Venaille

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