Research Moored Array for African–Asian–Australian Monsoon Analysis and Prediction

Research Moored Array for African–Asian–Australian Monsoon Analysis and Prediction
Name	Research Moored Array for African–Asian–Australian Monsoon Analysis and Prediction
Abbreviation	RAMA
Established	2004
Region	Indian Ocean
Operator	National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services; Ministry of Earth Sciences (India); Monsoon Mission (India)

Research Moored Array for African–Asian–Australian Monsoon Analysis and Prediction The Research Moored Array for African–Asian–Australian Monsoon Analysis and Prediction is an oceanographic observing network in the Indian Ocean established to monitor the coupled ocean–atmosphere system that influences the South Asian Monsoon, Australian Monsoon, and East African climate. The program builds on initiatives led by organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services to provide in situ time series for climate research and operational forecasting.

Introduction

RAMA was conceived following workshops and programs run by World Climate Research Programme, Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR), and the Climate and Ocean: Variability, Predictability and Change (CLIVAR) Indian Ocean Panel to address gaps identified by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessments and the Global Climate observing system. The array complements observing systems including the Argo float program, the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) array, and the PIRATA network to improve representation of ocean heat content, salinity, and surface fluxes relevant to monsoon prediction.

Objectives and Scientific Goals

Primary objectives align with research priorities set by GEWEX, WCRP, and national agencies such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Ministry of Earth Sciences (India): to quantify ocean variability affecting the Indian Ocean Dipole, El Niño–Southern Oscillation, and regional monsoon teleconnections. Goals include improving coupled model initialization used in European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology seasonal forecasts, constraining air–sea fluxes studied by researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and CSIRO, and supporting studies of extreme events analyzed by groups like World Meteorological Organization.

Instrumentation and Observational Design

The RAMA array uses moorings instrumented with sensors procured from vendors and institutions such as Scripps Institution of Oceanography, National Oceanography Centre (United Kingdom), and Bureau of Meteorology (Australia). Typical payloads include surface meteorological sensors used in NOAA surface flux studies, acoustic Doppler current profilers associated with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution deployments, conductivity–temperature–depth instruments similar to those in Argo, and pyranometers and radiometers comparable to systems used by NASA missions. Design decisions were informed by trial deployments by teams from Monash University, National Institute of Oceanography (India), and University of Cape Town.

Deployment and Operations

Deployments have been coordinated through multinational cruises aboard research vessels such as RV Roger Revelle, ORV Sagar Kanya, and RV Investigator with logistical support from agencies like NOAA and Ministry of Earth Sciences (India). Operations require coordination with regional centers including Indian Ocean Rim Association, Australian Bureau of Meteorology, and port authorities in locations like Colombo, Perth, and Mombasa. Maintenance intervals follow practices developed during TAO/TRITON and PIRATA servicing, and recoveries rely on shipborne teams from institutions such as Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and National Institute of Oceanography (India).

Data Management and Accessibility

RAMA data are archived and distributed through portals modeled after NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, International Research Institute for Climate and Society, and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts data services, with metadata standards compatible with Global Change Master Directory and World Data System. Real-time data streams feed operational centers including Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and Bureau of Meteorology (Australia), while delayed-mode quality-controlled datasets support research at universities such as University of Reading, Columbia University, and University of Washington. Data policies reflect principles endorsed by Group on Earth Observations.

Key Findings and Scientific Impact

RAMA observations have improved understanding of processes featured in studies by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change authors and teams at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, demonstrating the role of upper-ocean heat content, salinity anomalies, and surface flux variability in modulating the Indian Ocean Dipole and monsoon onset documented by researchers at Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Results have contributed to enhancements of coupled prediction systems at European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, NOAA Climate Prediction Center, and the Monsoon Mission (India), and have been cited in analyses led by World Climate Research Programme and Climate and Ocean: Variability, Predictability and Change (CLIVAR) panels.

Collaborations and Funding Sources

RAMA is a multinational partnership involving institutions including National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Ministry of Earth Sciences (India), Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Japan Meteorological Agency, and research organizations such as Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Funding has been provided by agencies like NOAA, Ministry of Earth Sciences (India), Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, and contributions from programs under the World Climate Research Programme and bilateral collaborations with universities including Monash University and University of Cape Town.

Category:Oceanography Category:Climate monitoring systems