top of page

Indian Ocean Dipole linked to global warming in new research by Australian scientists

One of the big drivers of drought in Australia, the Indian Ocean Dipole, is trending towards a more drought-causing positive state due to climate change, according to new research.

Professor Nerilie Abram from the ANU Research School of Earth Sciences said the changes were occurring in the Indian Ocean Dipole's (IOD) behaviour.

Nerilie Abram wearing Antarctic cold weather clothing

"That is going to increase the risk that we will have these very dry and hot years and those are the years where we precondition our landscape to burn," she said.

The 2019 drought occurred at a time where the Indian Ocean Dipole was at a record positive level.

Extreme positive IOD events have been strongly linked to drought in Australia.

Increases since 1960s unusual Professor Andy Pitman, director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Climate Extremes said quantifying how likely potential changes to the IOD could be and understanding the consequences for Australia were urgent national priorities.

Featured Posts
Check back soon
Once posts are published, you’ll see them here.
Recent Posts
Archive
Search By Tags
Follow Us
  • Facebook Basic Square
  • Twitter Basic Square
  • Google+ Basic Square
bottom of page