A regular back-and-forth variation in a system, such as climate patterns that shift between different states over time. In earth science, oscillations include phenomena like El Niño cycles and atmospheric pressure changes.
From Latin 'oscillare' meaning 'to swing', originally referring to the swinging motion of a mask of Bacchus hung in vineyards. The term entered scientific vocabulary in the 17th century to describe rhythmic variations in natural systems.
Climate oscillations like the Pacific Decadal Oscillation can flip ocean and weather patterns for decades at a time, completely changing rainfall patterns across continents! These natural rhythms show that Earth's climate system has its own complex heartbeat spanning years to centuries.
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