On the Structure and Dynamics of Monthly Mean Sea Level Anomalies along the Pacific Coast of North and South America

Abstract The behavior and relationship of anomalies of monthly mean sea level, coastal sea surface temperature and alongshore wind stress for the eastern Pacific Ocean during the period 1950–74 have been studied. Sea level and temperature records from Yakutat, Alaska (59°N) to Valparaiso, Chile (33°S) and computed alongshore wind stress at near coastal grid points from Yakutat to Matzatlan, Mexico (23°N) have been utilized. The positive and negative sea level anomalies, corresponding to El Nino-anti El Nino cycles, are well correlated throughout the tropics of both hemispheres and are detectable at the California stations. From Crescent City to Antofagasta, Chile the sea level anomalies were correlated with the Southern Oscillation Index above the 99% significance level. The maximum station separations for which sea level anomalies were correlated among themselves above the 99% significance level varied from 6000 km (Yakutat to San Diego) to more than 12 000 km (Prince Rupert to Matarani). A well-defined ...