program, Cooperation on Environmental Protection. The data 

 gathered in POLEX will be used together with data from the First 

 GARP Global Experiment (FGGE) of the Global Atmospheric 

 Research Program (GARP) to improve numerical modeling 

 capabilities for applications in numerical experiments. These 

 experiments will be directed toward improving understanding of 

 global atmospheric circulation and the dynamics of climate 

 variations, including periods with persistent precipitation or 

 temperature anomalies. 



Ocean and Atmosphere Interactions 



Because the atmosphere derives most of its water vapor from the 

 oceans and the winds are a basic force in ocean surface circulation, 

 efforts to add to the understanding of the linkages between the 

 oceans and atmosphere have expanded significantly over the past 

 few years. One such effort is the North Pacific Experiment 

 (NORPAX), sponsored jointly by the NSF/IDOE and ONR, which 

 seeks to understand how these linkages in the North Pacific affect 

 seasonal weather patterns over North America. Oceanographers and 

 meteorologists from 11 universities are working in four major areas: 

 statistical analysis of historical data, descriptive observational 

 programs, intensive process-oriented observations, and 

 development of analytical and numerical models. 



During 1973, NORPAX researchers reported that a chain of events 

 originating in the western Pacific Ocean anticipates the onset of El 

 Nino, the periodic warming of waters off Peru. 



After more research, it may be possible to predict the development 

 of El Nino and its effect on the Peruvian anchovy catch. When the 

 catch is poor, there is an increase in the world price of fishmeal, a 

 transfer of fishmeal consumers to soybean, soybean price rise, and 

 ultimately, price increases for beef, pork, broilers, eggs, and milk. 



Long-range weather and climate fluctuations have a profound 

 effect on agriculture, economy, and habitability. Researchers in the 

 IDOE climate, long-range investigation, mapping and prediction 

 (CLIMAP) program are seeking clues to past climates. These 

 scientists are examining changes in ocean current patterns, water 

 mass properties, and surface temperatures in the world ocean, as 

 recorded by fossil marine organisms in deep sea sediment cores. 

 Preliminary analysis of the cores indicates that conditions of 

 extreme cold have occurred about eight times over the past 700,000 

 years in alternation with periods of warmer climate. Scientists 

 speculate, on the basis on these findings, that a new glacial period 

 will eventually recur, possibly within a few thousand years. 



Another program, conducted by NOAA's Environmental Research 

 Laboratories, is directed to determining thermal effects from 



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