• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.35-44
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• 2007

This paper investigated the relationship between El $Ni\widetilde{n}o-Southern$ Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) mode events and the impacts of these two phenomena on the climate, temperature and precipitation, of the Korean Peninsula. Data gathered from 1954 to 2004 were used for analysis, which included NINO 3 index, IOD index, and monthly mean precipitation and temperature at eleven locations in Korea. Statistical results showed that the IOD and ENSO were significantly correlated in Spring and Fall. It was clearly shown that the distribution of the sea surface temperature in the Indian Ocean has seen the Southern and Northern Oscillation in El $Ni\widetilde{n}o$ year, and Eastern and Western in IOD year. On the other hand, in El $Ni\widetilde{n}o$ you, the mean temperature of the Korea Peninsula was lower than normal in Summer and higher in Winter and its precipitation was more than normal in both Summer and Winter. However, significant correlation was not found in IOD year. In addition, the global atmospheric circulations during the major IOD years are less influential, unlike those of El $Ni\widetilde{n}o$ events.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.374-387
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• 2007

We examined the characteristics of atmospheric circulation over East Asia to find the causes of the unusual warm winter 2006/2007 in Korea. During that time, the anomalous atmospheric conditions are characterized by the weakening of the Siberian High and the Aleutian Low, the enhancement of low-level south easterlies near Korea, and the weakening of upper-level jet to the south of Japan. These patterns are considerably associated with the atmospheric condition of non-blocking year over the Siberia (60-140E). In addition, both El $Ni\widetilde{n}o$ and Arctic Oscillation (AO) are likely to induce those patterns. Therefore, it is suggested that the anomalous atmospheric states related to non-blocking flow, El $Ni\widetilde{n}o$, and the positive phase of AO are responsible for the warmest winter season in 2006/2007 for the period of 1958/1959-2006/2007.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.343-356
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• 2007

This paper explored the characteristics of the interannual sea surface temperature (SST) variability in the equatorial Pacific by analyzing the simulated data from a newly coupled general circulation model (CGCM). The CGCM simulates well the realistic ENSO variability as well as the mean climatologies including SST, seasonal cycle, precipitation, and subsurface structures. It is argued that the zonal gradient of SST in the equatorial Pacific is responsible for the over-energetic SST variability near the equatorial western boundary in the model. This variability could also be related to the strong westward propagation of SST anomalies which resulted from the enhanced the zonal advection feedback. The simple two-strip model supports this by sensitivity tests. Analysis of the relationship between zonal mean thermocline depth and NINO3 SST index suggested that the ENSO variability is controlled by the recharge-discharge oscillator of the model. The lead-lag regression result reveals that heat buildup process in the western equatorial Pacific associated with the increase of the barrier layer thickness (BLT) is a precedent condition for El $Ni\widetilde{n}o$ to develop.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.705-714
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to explore the elementary students' perceptions of Earth systems and environmental issues. A survey was conducted to determine the students' perceptions on the following aveas: (1) the concepts of certainty and tangibility, (2) self-reported knowledge level, (3) perceived danger level of selected eight Earth systems and environmental issues, and (4) their primary information source on these issues. Results indicated that ozone hole, acid rain, El $Ni\widetilde{n}o$, and global warming were identified by the students as uncertain and intangible issues. Perceived certainty and perceived tangibility were highly positively correlated with self-reported knowledge compared to other relationships. The results also showed that learning from school was the most frequent information source for environmental issues. The second most frequently used source of information was television among several mass media sources. It is hoped that this study contributes to understanding the elementary school students' perceptions toward the selected Earth systems and environmental issues.