Field work in Antarctic waters

Research: Oceanography

CCRC undertakes extensive research in ocean sciences with a particular focus on the key ocean processes that affect the climate system. This includes process such as the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Indian Ocean Dipole, and Southern Ocean circulation. The CCRC combines world-class ocean modelling, ocean process studies, ocean theory and data synthesis to advance our knowledge of the physics of the oceans.

Areas of focus include the global ocean thermohaline circulation, water-mass formation, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, western boundary currents, and the ocean carbon cycle.

The oceanography group combines regional and global scale models with emprical data to investigate ocean dynamics. A core research focus is the role of the oceans in climatic processes, particularly at mid- to high-latitudes and in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Significant research effort is also invested in paleoceaography, the role of ocean gateways in climate, coupled ocean-carbon-atmosphere feedbacks, and the transport of heat and freshwater by the oceans.

Latest news

The clean industrial revolution
So where does Australia’s economic future lie in this rapidly changing world? In this compelling book, climate scientist and economist Ben McNeil demonstrates the immense opportunities that will open up if Australia leads the new clean industrial revolution.

Winner of the 2009 Young Tall Poppy Science Award: Dr Donna Green
Dr Donna Green of CCRC is one of three Science Faculty scholars honoured at the 2009 Young Tall Poppy Awards hosted by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science..

Looming El Nino sets up gloomy forecast
South-east Australians can expect little relief from below average rainfall according to climate experts.

More news...

Reading past climates to see the future

With the massive Antarctic Circumpolar Current circling the Southern Ocean, largely preventing north-south flow across it and thereby isolating Antarctica from the subtropics, many scientists believe the existence of the Southern Ocean acts to cool Antarctica. But what other climate patterns might the Southern Ocean control?

An addiction that fouls the air

Coal provides nearly 80 per cent of Australia's electricity needs. Not the US, Russia or even China has a bigger coal addiction, despite having vastly more coal reserves than Australia. The Australian Greenhouse Office says emissions from coal-dominated electricity generation rose 50 per cent between 1990 and 2004.

Bali or bust

The Bali Climate Declaration has made the scientific view on emissions targets patently clear. It is now over to the policy makers to give the planet a decent future.

The Big Engine: oceans and weather

Federation Fellow and 2008 Eureka Prize winner, Professor Matthew England of CCRC, on the latest research into the role oceans play on weather.