Interannual Variability of Summertime Outgoing Longwave Radiation over the Maritime Continent in Relation to East Asian Summer Monsoon Anomalies

The Maritime Continent（MC） is under influences of both the tropical Pacific and the Indian Ocean. Anomalous convective activities over the MC have significant impacts on the East Asian summer monsoon（EASM） and climate in China. In the present study, the variation in convective activity over the MC in boreal summer and its relationship to EASM anomalies are investigated based on regression analysis of NCEP–NCAR reanalysis and CMAP [Climate Prediction Center（CPC） Merged Analysis of Precipitation] data, with a focus on the impacts of ENSO and the Indian Ocean Dipole（IOD）. The most significant interannual variability of convective activity is found over 10°S–10°N, 95°–145°E, which can be roughly defined as the key area of the MC（hereafter, KMC）. Outgoing longwave radiation anomaly（OLRA） exhibits 3- to 7-yr periodicities over the KMC, and around 70% of the OLRA variance can be explained by the ENSO signal. However, distinct convection and precipitation anomalies still exist over this region after the ENSO and IOD signals are removed. Abnormally low precipitation always corresponds to positive OLRA over the KMC when negative diabatic heating anomalies and anomalous cooling of the atmospheric column lead to abnormal descending motion over this region. Correspondingly, abnormal divergence occurs in the lower troposphere while convergence occurs in the upper troposphere, triggering an East Asia–Pacific/Pacific–Japan（EAP/PJ）-like anomalous wave train that propagates northeastward and leads to a significant positive precipitation anomaly from the Yangtze River valley in China to the islands of Japan. This EAP/PJ-like wave pattern becomes even clearer after the removal of the ENSO signal and the combined effects of ENSO and IOD, suggesting that convective anomalies over the KMC have an important impact on EASM anomalies. The above results provide important clues for the prediction of EASM anomalies and associated summer precipitation anomalies in China.

Impact of ENSO on MJO Pattern Evolution over the Maritime Continent

The modulation of Madden–Julian oscillation(MJO)pattern evolution over the Maritime Continent(MC)by El Nino–Southern Oscillation(ENSO)was investigated through a combined observational and modeling study.MJO convective branches shifted south of the equator over the MC during eastern Pacific(EP)El Nino winters,while it became relatively symmetric about the equator during La Ni?a winters.The impact of central Pacific(CP)El Ninos to MJO pattern,on the other hand,is not statistically significant.The cause of the distinctive MJO pattern evolutions is likely attributed to the ENSO-induced changes of the background moisture and vertical shear over the MC.Idealized numerical experiments with a 2.5-layer model were carried out,and the result revealed that the background moisture change played a dominant role.An observational diagnosis of column-integrated moist static energy(MSE)budgets was further conducted.The result indicated that the MJO pattern difference was attributed to the MSE tendency asymmetry in front of MJO convection between EP El Nino and La Ni?a,caused by the advection of the mean MSE by anomalous meridional wind.The difference in the MJO-scale anomalous meridional wind was ultimately controlled by the change of the background meridional moisture gradient associated with EP El Nino and La Ni?a.

Effect of natural prolongation with geological features on maritime delimitation

The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea entitled the coastal States to naturally extend the continental shelf, which has caused more drastic disputes of maritime delimitation. This paper devotes to clarifying the significant concept of natural prolongation through an effect method combing the legal principles and technical analysis. Firstly, the classic samples with respect of the development of geological features are traced. Based on these samples, the classification with a model is proposed in order to affirm the concept＇s significance under certain geomorphologic situations. Lastly, scientific analysis is used to present two potential prolongation situations and emphasize that all the technical analysis on maritime delimitation should be complied with international law and protect the common interest of all the mankind.