The Impact of Natural External Forcing on Ocean Heat Uptake Efficiency Since the 1980s

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Shi, Jia-Rui, Zanna, Laure, Adcroft, Alistair
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Shi, Jia-Rui
Zanna, Laure
Adcroft, Alistair
author_facet Shi, Jia-Rui
Zanna, Laure
Adcroft, Alistair
contents We investigate the temporal evolution of ocean heat uptake efficiency (OHUE) using observations and large ensemble model simulations. OHUE, defined as the ratio of the rate in ocean heat uptake to changes in global mean surface temperature anomalies, has exhibited significant variability over recent decades. We found a relatively low OHUE in the late 1980s, a peak around 2000, and a subsequent decline. A key finding is the significant influence of natural external forcing, mainly volcanic eruptions, which causes an abrupt decline in OHUE followed by a gradual recovery. The 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption, a major volcanic event of the 20th century, had a lasting impact on OHUE. This study emphasizes the contribution of mid-latitudes to global OHUE changes. Our findings underscore the importance of considering natural external forcing in understanding climate dynamics and suggest conducting idealized experiments to quantify the potential effects of future volcanic eruptions on OHUE.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2504_06366
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle The Impact of Natural External Forcing on Ocean Heat Uptake Efficiency Since the 1980s
Shi, Jia-Rui
Zanna, Laure
Adcroft, Alistair
Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics
Geophysics
We investigate the temporal evolution of ocean heat uptake efficiency (OHUE) using observations and large ensemble model simulations. OHUE, defined as the ratio of the rate in ocean heat uptake to changes in global mean surface temperature anomalies, has exhibited significant variability over recent decades. We found a relatively low OHUE in the late 1980s, a peak around 2000, and a subsequent decline. A key finding is the significant influence of natural external forcing, mainly volcanic eruptions, which causes an abrupt decline in OHUE followed by a gradual recovery. The 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption, a major volcanic event of the 20th century, had a lasting impact on OHUE. This study emphasizes the contribution of mid-latitudes to global OHUE changes. Our findings underscore the importance of considering natural external forcing in understanding climate dynamics and suggest conducting idealized experiments to quantify the potential effects of future volcanic eruptions on OHUE.
title The Impact of Natural External Forcing on Ocean Heat Uptake Efficiency Since the 1980s
topic Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics
Geophysics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.06366