The Emergence of El-Ni\~{n}o as an Autonomous Component in the Climate Network

Abstract

We construct and analyze a climate network which represents the interdependent structure of the climate in different geographical zones and find that the network responds in a unique way to El-Ni\~{n}o events. Analyzing the dynamics of the climate network shows that when El-Ni\~{n}o events begin, the El-Ni\~{n}o basin partially loses its influence on its surroundings. After typically three months, this influence is restored while the basin loses almost all dependence on its surroundings and becomes \textit{autonomous}. The formation of an autonomous basin is the missing link to understand the seemingly contradicting phenomena of the afore--noticed weakening of the interdependencies in the climate network during El-Ni\~{n}o and the known impact of the anomalies inside the El-Ni\~{n}o basin on the global climate system.