Understanding El Niño's Past
Recent modeling studies indicate that El Niño and La Niña oscillations have been present for at least 250 million years, often surpassing today's magnitudes.
These ancient climate patterns were influenced by various factors, including ocean thermal structures and atmospheric winds, challenging previous studies that primarily focused on ocean temperatures.
Scientific Insights and Future Implications
The research utilized advanced climate modeling tools, akin to those used by the , to simulate past climate conditions in 10-million-year slices, revealing significant historical climate oscillations.
Findings suggest that to improve future climate projections, a comprehensive understanding of past climates, including the roles of ocean thermal structures and atmospheric winds, is essential.