The scientific results of the VOCALS field campaign are based on analysis of observations made by instruments located on ships, aircraft, and land. This map shows the paths followed by ships and planes over the Southeast Pacific and the observation stations along the coasts of Chile and Peru. Click on image for full size (62 Kb) VOCALS Field Campaign

Long after the VOCALS campaign is completed, the scientists’ work will continue. They must process, review, and study the data to determine what has been learned. Many model runs will be made and analyzed. Eventually, they will publish their discoveries in scientific journals and give oral presentations at conferences.

VOCALS will allow an unprecedented examination over an entire month of how variability in ocean currents, ocean upwelling, marine winds, and air pollution will impact the chemical and physical properties of the lower atmosphere, the clouds, and the amount of precipitation found there. The climate characteristics of the SEP are further complicated by the close proximity of the Andes Mountain range which forms a barrier to westerly winds and the transport of moisture.

It is expected that measurements obtained by VOCALS will have a broad impact upon current knowledge in the fields of atmospheric science and oceanography. The data generated in the field will stimulate the development of a broad range of numerical process models exploring the atmosphere. They could also help to accelerate the improvement of regional and global climate. VOCALS could ultimately lead to much better predictions of future climate. Climate prediction is increasingly important to communities around the world that are vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise, heat waves, less reliable precipitation, and changes in growing seasons.

The scientific results of the VOCALS field campaign are based on analysis of observations made by instruments located on ships, aircraft, and land. This map shows the paths followed by ships and planes over the Southeast Pacific and the observation stations along the coasts of Chile and Peru. Click on image for full size (62 Kb) VOCALS Field Campaign

Scientists must work very hard to understand the data collected in field campaigns like VOCALS. They must review and study it to determine what has been learned. Many model runs will be made and analyzed. Eventually, they will publish their discoveries in scientific journals and give oral presentations at conferences.

VOCALS will allow examination over an entire month of how variability in ocean currents, ocean upwelling, marine winds, and air pollution will impact the properties of the atmosphere, the clouds, and the amount of precipitation found there. The climate of the Southeast Pacific is especially complicated by the nearby Andes Mountain range.

VOCAL measurements will be important! They will add to current knowledge in the fields of atmospheric science and oceanography. They will be used to improve models exploring the atmosphere and climate. VOCALS could ultimately lead to much better predictions of future climate. Predictions are very important to people around the world who are in danger from the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise, heat waves, drought, severe rainstorms, and changes in growing seasons.

The scientific results of the VOCALS field campaign are based on analysis of observations made by instruments located on ships, aircraft, and land. This map shows the paths followed by ships and planes over the Southeast Pacific and the observation stations along the coasts of Chile and Peru. Click on image for full size (62 Kb) VOCALS Field Campaign

Scientists must work very hard! It will take time for them to understand the information they collected during VOCALS. They must study the measurements and use them to improve their models of clouds, weather, and climate. Eventually, they will tell others what they have learned by writing papers and giving talks to each other at scientific meetings.

For a whole month, the scientists were able to make measurements of changes in the ocean currents, ocean upwelling, winds, and air pollution. The results of all these measurements have helped scientists to better understand the atmosphere, the clouds, and rain found over the ocean and close to the Andes Mountains.

Won't it be great if the results of VOCALS help scientists to make predictions of future climate? Predictions are very important to people around the world who live where climate will change the most. They are in danger from such things as sea level rise, heat waves, drought, severe rainstorms, and changes in growing seasons. The results of VOCALS really makes a difference to people in may places!