Chapter I Intro & Objectives - SPREP

PHOENIX ISLANDS PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN
Chapter III. Background, 1. Physical Setting of the Islands
Draft 1 March 2007
Climate Research Committee (1995) reported that studies were on-going to examine highresolution
δ 18 O records and records of other trace elements at key locations in the Pacific,
including Abariringa (Kanton). This included collection of old coral (hundreds of years old)
from key sites. Climate Research Committee (1995) reported that old corals had already
been collected from Abariringa (Kanton).
Xavier (2002) noted that the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) had the strongest signal in
the eastern and central tropical Pacific. Intraseasonal variability was characterized by a 40 to
50 day oscillation referred to as the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO). Available data from
Abariringa (Canton) and other stations were analyzed. Spectral peaks were observed in 41 to
53 day intervals. In addition, large coherence between variables was noticed such as surface
pressure at Abariringa (Canton) following that of Balboa in Panama by 5 to 6 days. Xavier
(2002) noted that the MJO affected the entire tropical troposphere and interacts with El Niño.
The various models that have been proposed to model MJO were not yet adequate (Xavier
2002).
Clarke and Van Gorder (2003) used Abariringa (Kanton) sea level data to test their model for
improving El Nino predictions. They integrated Indo-Pacific winds and equatorial Pacific
upper ocean heat content data in their model.
BIRNIE
Rain - Bryan (1941 and 1942) classified the 5 northern Phoenix Islands (including Birnie) as
dry islands with average annual rainfall not exceeding 64 cm (25 inches).
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