Why is the Earth System Oscillating at a 6-Year Period?

Abstract

A 6-year cycle has long been recognized to influence the Earth’s rotation, the internal magnetic field and motions in the fluid Earth’s core. Recent observations have revealed that a 6-year cycle also affects the angular momentum of the atmosphere and several climatic parameters, including global mean sea level rise, precipitation, land hydrology, Arctic surface temperature, ocean heat content and natural climate modes. In this review, we first present observational evidences supporting the existence of a 6-year cycle in the Earth system, from its deep interior to the climate system. We then explore potential links between the Earth’s core, mantle and atmosphere that might explain the observations, and investigate various mechanisms that could drive the observed 6-year oscillation throughout the whole Earth system.