Many studies in climate are based on statistic methods, such as the EOF method, to explore the climate variability, without further exploration of the relevant dynamics. Such studies left behand important questions related to dynamical processes in the oceans.

 

Heaving modes are defined by the movement of isopycnal surfaces, and they can be separated into the external modes (primarily due to external thermohaline fluxes) and internal modes (primarily due to wind stress perturbations). Heaving modes can be inferred from simple reduced gravity models; they can be identified from climate data too. 

 

The concept of heaving modes and its identification provide a new approach for the study of climate variability in the world oceans. As examples, its application to ENSO like events and other climate events are discussed.