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Interdecadal modulation of Ningaloo Niño/Niña strength in the Southeast Indian Ocean by the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation

Author

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  • Jiaqing Xue

    (Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology
    Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology
    Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology)

  • Wenjun Zhang

    (Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology
    Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology)

  • Yutong Zhang

    (Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology
    Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology)

  • Jing-Jia Luo

    (Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology
    Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology)

  • Hualong Zhu

    (Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology
    Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology)

  • Cheng Sun

    (Beijing Normal University)

  • Toshio Yamagata

    (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology)

Abstract

The Southeast Indian Ocean is a global hotspot for marine heatwaves. In that region, marine heatwaves/cold-spells are known as Ningaloo Niño/Niña events, and have substantial impacts on regional climate anomalies and unique marine ecosystems. However, the strength of Ningaloo Niño/Niña events is nonstationary and varies considerably at multidecadal timescales. Here we find that the interdecadal fluctuations in Ningaloo Niño/Niña strength are modulated by the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), with strengthened (weakened) Ningaloo Niño/Niña corresponding to a positive (negative) AMO phase. During the positive AMO phase, the Atlantic warm sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies drive a series of climate mean-state changes in the Indo-Pacific region through tropics-wide teleconnections, including SST cooling over the central Pacific and SST warming in the tropical eastern Indian Ocean. Those mean-state changes tend to enhance El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-related atmospheric and oceanic teleconnections to the Southeast Indian Ocean, and increase local Indian Ocean ocean–atmosphere coupling, promoting the Ningaloo Niño/Niña growth. Our findings highlight the critical role of the remote influence of AMO in understanding the Southeast Indian Ocean marine heatwaves/cold-spells and associated climatic and socioeconomic impacts.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiaqing Xue & Wenjun Zhang & Yutong Zhang & Jing-Jia Luo & Hualong Zhu & Cheng Sun & Toshio Yamagata, 2025. "Interdecadal modulation of Ningaloo Niño/Niña strength in the Southeast Indian Ocean by the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-57160-7
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-57160-7
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