Tejas, D.M.; Gnanaseelan, C.; Rashmi A.K., and Deepa, J.S., 2020. Indian Ocean warming trends and forcing mechanism with emphasis on northeastern tropical Indian Ocean. In: Sheela Nair, L.; Prakash, T.N.; Padmalal, D., and Kumar Seelam, J. (eds.), Oceanic and Coastal Processes of the Indian Seas. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 89, pp. 15-19. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.

Subsurface temperature variability in the northeastern Tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) is addressed in this study. The recent decade witnessed strong positive trends in the warming of subsurface waters of Indian Ocean. On the other hand the net heat flux in to the ocean is showed a negative trend in the last decade citing the oceanic process as the primary cause of temperature variability and trends. The present study is focused on understanding the temporal evolution of the subsurface temperature structure of the northeastern TIO from the latter part of the twentieth century. Long term trends and time series are examined to see whether they result from low-frequency variability. It is seen that, strong warming in the northeastern TIO is closely related with phase change in the decadal oscillation of temperature as well as equatorial Indian Ocean dynamics. Associated circulation over this region supports the findings. The equatorial Kelvin wave after mid 2000s also seems to play a crucial role in the evolution of subsurface temperature patterns.