Cenozoic history of the Australian Monsoon

Abstract

The Australian monsoon is part of the global monsoon and often included as a component of the Asian Monsoon system although they operate out of phase. Due to their hemispheric positions, the dry (wet) Australian winter (summer) monsoon coincides with the wet summer Asian monsoon and vice versa. The Australian monsoon controls rainfall distribution in northern tropical Australia where over 80% of the median annular rainfall occurs from December to March, the summer wet season. Three types of the Australian monsoon are distinguished based on distinct atmospheric circulation and heating patterns: a northwest Pseudo-Monsoon, a northeast Quasi-Monsoon and an Australian Monsoon (sensu stricto) nor..