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Signatures of universal characteristics of fractal fluctuations in global mean monthly temperature anomalies

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Abstract

This paper proposes a general systems theory for fractals visualising the emergence of successively larger scale fluctuations resulting from the space-time integration of enclosed smaller scale fluctuations. Global gridded time series data sets of monthly mean temperatures for the period 1880–2007/2008 are analysed to show that data sets and corresponding power spectra exhibit distributions close to the model predicted inverse power law distribution. The model predicted and observed universal spectrum for interannual variability rules out linear secular trends in global monthly mean temperatures. Global warming results in intensification of fluctuations of all scales and manifested immediately in high frequency fluctuations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, 411008, India

    A. M. Selvam

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  1. A. M. Selvam
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Correspondence to A. M. Selvam.

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This paper was recommended for publication by Editor Jing HAN.

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Selvam, A.M. Signatures of universal characteristics of fractal fluctuations in global mean monthly temperature anomalies. J Syst Sci Complex 24, 14–38 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11424-011-9020-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11424-011-9020-5

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