Geophysical Research Letters · 23 July 2026 · From issue 10
The sun's 11 year activity cycle changes how much deep ocean water forms in the North Pacific.
Jianing Wang, YongFu Lin et al., Solar‐Cycle Modulation of Subsurface Ocean Memory via the North Pacific Eastern Subtropical Mode Water, Geophysical Research Letters.
A layer of water sits deep under the ocean surface in the North Pacific. It stores climate patterns for years, like a slow memory. Eighty years of ocean data show this layer shrinks one to two years after the sun's activity peaks. Strong solar activity changes ocean winds, which thins the surface layer and blocks this deep water pocket from forming.
The delay between peak solar activity and the shrinking of the deep ocean water layer.
Model and reanalysis study only, no direct real world weather test.
Integrity screen: passed (3 checks) Checked 24 July 2026. Retraction record: none. DOI resolves at doi.org. Metadata record found (Geophysical Research Letters). Read the source
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