Research
The TAO/TRITON array is part of a complex climate observation
system. Central to describing, understanding, and predicting the
Earth's climate system is observation. The mission of NOAA's
Climate Observation Program is to build and sustain a global
climate observing system that will respond to the long-term requirements
of the operational forecast centers, international research programs,
and major scientific assessments. The observational component
of climate services has by far the greatest opportunity and necessity
for international collaboration. A global observing system by
definition crosses international boundaries and the potential
exists for both benefits and burdens to be shared by many nations.
All of NOAA's contributions to the ocean component of the climate
observing system are coordinated internationally. Perhaps none
of the components is better-known than the TAO/TRITON array. Built
over the past 15 years, through the efforts of many nations, the
TAO/TRITON array is now maintained principally by the United States
and Japan. Each of the 70 moored buoys that span the tropical
Pacific must be visited twice-a-year for maintenance and instrument
calibration. The servicing ship, the NOAA Ship Ka'imimoana, deploys
other elements of the ocean observing system en route to the array,
such as drifting buoys and Argo floats, as well as carrying scientists
participating in climate research programs such as EPIC.
By the end of April, scientists will know whether or not an El
Niño is on the way. Five years after the onset of the most
intense El Niño on record, the TAO-TRITON array is once
again tracking conditions that could herald another event. Unusually
warm sea surface temperatures are being recorded in the central
tropical Pacific as a vast pool of warm water heads east. During
the months of March and April, water off Peru and Ecuador should
begin to warm if 2002 will be an El Niño year.
While most pronounced in the tropical Pacific and nearby regions,
El Niño's impacts are felt worldwide. The ocean is second
only to the sun in influencing climate variability and change.
Thus scientists are watching carefully the measurements being
reported by the TAO/TRITON array. The hope is that improved long-range
forecasts, based on those measurements from the expanse of the
Pacific Ocean, can help people in all regions around the world
prepare for potential variations in this year's climate conditions.
Note for educators: The TAO/TRITON array continues to collect data and the Ka'imimoana continues to maintain the array. Please use the TAO web site, in conjunction with this web site, the lesson plans, daily logs, the videos, and the photos to educate your students about climate, El Niño, and scientific research in general.
Consider this web site, as well as the EPIC web site, a resource for teaching your students.
Many organizations and countries are involved in supporting the TAO/TRITON Array in the Equatorial Pacific. Primary U. S. funding is provided by The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
This website is maintained and frequently updated by NOAA's Office of Global Programs. ogpwebmaster@noaa.gov
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