Variability in the central equatorial Pacific, 1985-1989

Describes variability near 160°W during this 5-year period 1985-1989, encompassing "normal', El Nino, and La Nina conditions. At Jarvis Island, the near-surface temperature drop from 1986-1987 El Nino maximum to 1988-1989 La Nina minimum was 8°C. Interannual and interseasonal variability in dynamic height was dominated by a mode with meridional form similar to a first-vertical-mode Kelvin wave, while intraseasonal variability had a primary mode with a single peak at 6°N and a secondary mode with peak at 6°N and trough at 2°N. Just before El Nino and just after La Nina, the thermocline was observed to be about 50 m deeper than at other times. The South Equatorial Current and North Equatorial Countercurrent had markedly reduced (increased) transports during this El Nino (La Nina). -from Authors