Detection of Antarctic oscillation signals in Earth’s oblateness variations

Abstract

Variations of Earth’s oblateness (J 2) reflect a large scale mass redistribution within the Earth system. The climate effect causing J 2 interannual variations is still not clear, though previous studies indicated it may be related to EI Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). However, we have a new discovery of the significant Antarctic oscillation (AAO) signals in J 2 interannual variations, especially on 4–6 year scales based on cross wavelet and wavelet coherence analysis with 95% confidence test during 1979–2012. The results additionally indicate that the close phase relationship between J 2 and AAO (AAO leading J 2 variations by 3 ± 2 months in phase) is far superior to that between J 2 and ENSO/PDO on 4–6 year scales. In this work, we discuss, for the first time, a possible geophysical mechanism of AAO effecting J 2 variations. The investigations are based on the definition of AAO and its spatial–temporal behavior influencing the large-scale mass movement. Finally, an approximate quantitative estimate of the AAO imprint on J 2 with an emphasis on the atmospheric contribution is made.