Error and sensitivity analysis of geophysical eigensystems

Abstract

The first-order perturbation technique is reviewed as a tool for investigating the error and sensitivity of results obtained from the eigenanalysis of geophysical systems. Expressions are provided for the change in a system's eigenfunctions and their periods and growth rates associated with a small change δL in the system matrix L. Their application is illustrated in an empirical stochastic-dynamic model of tropical sea surface temperature (SST) evolution derived from 35 years of SST observations in the tropical Indo-Pacific basin. -from Authors