Ocean temperatures have significant effect on climate change

Climate researchers say centuries-old ocean temperature footprints stored in coral skeletons are leading to a better understanding of the future risks of climate change.

The recent bushfires on the South Coast of NSW were preceded by extended periods of drought, which produced huge amounts of fuel for the fire to burn. Source: AAP

A weather event known as the Indian Ocean Dipole, which is similar to the El Nino  and La Nina  is behind the changes in the Pacific Ocean. The indian Ocean Dipole varies between three phases, positive, neutral and negative  Positive dipoles occur when oceans to the northwest of Australia become cooler than usual, leading to less cloud and rain across the nation's centre and southeast. A positive Dipole last year led to the hot, dry summer that saw the nation swelter and burn.