Shayne R. O'Brien, Ph. D.

Shayne R. O'Brien, Ph. D.

Climatologist, Adjunct Lecturer

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Pages

Posts

portfolio

publications

The Oceanography of Cuchlaine A.M. King

Progress in Physical Geography, 2021

C.A.M. King, the noted British coastal geomorphologist, authored two books in a three-year period. Beaches and Coasts in 1959 was a major contribution to coastal geomorphology, whereas Oceanography for Geographers represents King’s attempt to show the importance of the oceans to all of geography. Their approaches and pedagogy differ, but their lessons remain relevant today.

Recommended citation: Dixon, R. W., OBrien, S. R., & Hodge, J. B. (2021). "The oceanography of Cuchlaine A.M. King." Progress in Physical Geography. 45(3).
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The Influence of Teleconnections on the Presence of North Atlantic Icebergs South of 48°: 1983-2020

Texas State University, 2022

The International Ice Patrol (IIP) has been responsible for the safety of maritime activity related to icebergs in the North Atlantic since their founding in the wake of the Titanic disaster in April 1912. In the century to follow, the Ice Patrol, their mission, methods, and technology have evolved. Today, a century of iceberg observation data collected by the IIP has led to a growing field of climatological and hazards sciences related study. This study examines the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and Arctic Oscillation (AO) as drivers of iceberg presence south of 48°N through direct and secondary influence between 1983 and 2020. This study is divided into five sections which examine different aspects of the relationship between teleconnections and icebergs south of 48°N (I48N). The first section identifies that the NAO and AO have statistically significant correlation with the number of I48Ns at a 1-year lag, through the use of linear regression modelling. The second section determines through the use of logistic regression that there is a statistically significant increase likelihood of an Extreme (>1399) iceberg year in years following a high annual NAO Index. Section three includes the comparison of AIC values for different AO/NAO models, which concluded that NAO is a stronger driver of North Atlantic icebergs than the AO. Section four involves a twofold analysis of the role of sea ice in iceberg-teleconnection interactions. These analyses resulted in the finding that sea ice has a significant correlation with I48N counts at 0- and 1-year lags. Additionally, this section indicates a significant correlation between sea ice and AO at a 1-year lag. Section five consists of comparing reanalysis(NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis, NCEP/DOE R2) data of meteorological and oceanographic factors in the 3 most-recent high and low iceberg years. This comparison identified areas of future study including geopotential height, sea level pressure and sea surface temperature.

Recommended citation: OBrien, Shayne R. (2022). "The Influence of Teleconnections on the Presence of North Atlantic Icebergs South of 48°: 1983-2020." Texas State University. 1.
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talks

teaching

GSCI 110 - World Geography

Undergraduate, Fort Hays State University, Department of Geosciences, 2019

Promotes international understanding via a survey of the world as a system of interrelated political units, environments, resources, lifestyles, and problems.

GEO 1305 - Meteorology

Undergraduate, Texas State University, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, 2020

An introduction to atmospheric science providing information on the properties of the atmosphere, the scientific principles that govern weather and climate, and interactions between the atmosphere and the other components of the Earth system.

GEOG 1030 - World Geography

Undergraduate, University of Tennesee at Chattanooga, Department of Social, Cultural and Justice Studies, 2023

Description and analysis of selected world regions, their internal characteristics and problems, and the nature of their interrelationships in a global context. Every semester. This semester we will cover a broad overview of the world in the course textbook. Additionally, we will spend more time learning about: Middle East and North Africa; Sub-Saharan Africa; and East Asia.

GEOG 1010 - Physical Geography

Undergraduate, University of Tennesee at Chattanooga, Department of Social, Cultural and Justice Studies, 2023

The physical environment with emphasis on processes that influence the distribution and pattern of landforms, water, climate, vegetation, and soil.

GEO 100 - People, Places, and Environments

Undergraduate course, Southern Connecticut State University, Department of the Environment, Geography and Marine Studies, 2024

Study of the world’s natural habitats and cultural landscapes and the interrelationships that may develop among them.

GEO 201 - Physical Geography (Lab)

Undergraduate course, Southern Connecticut State University, Department of the Environment, Geography and Marine Studies, 2024

Physical environments of representative areas: landforms, climates, vegetation, and soils are emphasized, as well as their distribution and significance for man.

ENV220 - Global Climate Change

Undergraduate, Southern Connecticut State University, Department of the Environment, Geography and Marine Studies, 2025

Examination of the scientific, social, economic and political aspects of global climate change due to energy production using fossil-fuels.

GEO 433/514 - Issues in Environmental Protection

Undergraduate/Graduate, Central Connecticut State University, Department of Geography, Anthropology and Tourism, 2025

As a result of protracted and intensive exploitation, the natural balance of the environment in many places of the earth has been upset and serious consequences have begun to show. Some of these unintended consequences of our actions on the environment (global warming, ozone layer depletion, air and water pollution etc.,) threaten our very existence on planet earth. Concerns over deterioration of the environment have become pronounced. It has therefore become imperative to educate ourselves about the environment so we can reduce the adverse impacts of our actions on the environment.

CCS 209 - Climatology

Undergraduate, Central Connecticut State University, Department of the Geography, Anthropology, and Tourism, 2025

Earth’s climate with an emphasis on the physical processes and dynamics of the atmosphere. Topics include regional, urban and historical climatologies, atmospheric pollution, and climate change. Some class time will be devoted to practical exercises. Cross Listing: SUST 209, GEO 209

CCS 109 - Introduction to Climate Change

Undergraduate, Central Connecticut State University, Department of Geography, Anthropology and Tourism, 2025

This course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts and tenets of global climate change. We examine natural systems and human activities that have altered, and continue to alter, global climate systems and other Earth/environmental systems. Students will survey how the changing climate and Earth/environmental systems are impacting human activities (i.e., social and economic systems). Topics to be surveyed include physical geography, biological, economic, policy, social. Students will learn about, and engage in, actions and activities related to the broader concepts of sustainability and the three pillars of sustainability (i.e., social, economic, and environment) as they relate to human-induced global climate change.