IMPACT OF ROSSBY WAVES ON INTERANUAL SEA LEVEL VARIABILITY IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN EAST OF THE PHILIPPINES

The influence of Rossby waves on sea level variability in the Pacific Ocean east of Philippines is studied based on a 1-layer reduced gravity model,which represents the relationship between baroclinic ocean and the large-scale sea-surface wind stress curl.Tidal gauges and altimeter observation sea level data were used as the eastern initial boundary separately in the model to simulate the sea level in the west area.The calculated results show a strong correlation with tidal gauge and altimeter observation data.The observed pattern of the interannual sea level variability is well reflected in the model results.The generation and westward spread of abnormal signals are also reproduced successfully.Therefore,the first baroclinic Rossby waves have a significant influence on the interannual sea level variability in the Pacific Ocean east of the Philippines.