Sr. Phinn et Pa. Hastings, SOUTHERN OSCILLATION INFLUENCES ON THE GOLD-COAST SUMMER WAVE CLIMATE, Journal of coastal research, 11(3), 1995, pp. 946-958
Tropical cyclone-generated wave conditions coincident with extreme pha
ses of the Southern Oscillation were examined for Gold Coast (eastern
Australia) beaches over the period 1972-1989. The study expands upon s
imilar previous research conducted on Sydney's wave climate. values of
summer (Southern Hemisphere) mean-monthly deepwater wavepower on nort
hern Gold Coast (Australia) beaches were found to be significantly low
er during El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phases of the Southern O
scillation than during the opposing anti-ENSO phases. It is proposed t
hat Southern Oscillation-related variability of Australian/South-west
Pacific tropical cyclone activity is an important mechanism underlying
the observed contrast. A tropical cyclone wave generation area was co
nstructed for Gold Coast beaches using individual tropical cyclone and
site data Possible coastal management implications of these findings
are discussed.