Multivariate detection and propagation speed of planetary Rossby waves from satellite observations of the equatorial Pacific Ocean

Abstract

After introducing the planetary waves, I recall theoretical concepts useful to their study. Then, I detail a reduced gravity model with 2 active layers. Next I present several data sets from satellites in remote sensing obtained during the last 30 years to detect the presence of planetary Rossby waves in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. So the propagation speed is determined by using Hovmöller diagrams and the technique of the Radon transform. Possible changes in the propagation speed on a decadal scale are suggested, and the influence of climatic events like El Niño or La Niña is also presented.