Although it was n't realized at the time , the quasi-biennial oscillation ( QBO ) was observed during the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa , when the ash from the volcano was transported around the globe from east to west by stratospheric winds in about two weeks . These winds became known as the " Krakatoa easterlies " . It was observed again in 1908 , by the German meteorologist Arthur Berson , who saw that winds blow from the west at altitude in tropical Africa from his balloon experiments . These became known as the " Berson westerlies " . However , it was not until the early 1960s that the ~ 26-month cycle of the QBO was first described , independently by Richard J. Reed in 1960 and Veryhard and Ebdon in 1961
1883 eruption of Krakatoa
1883 eruption of Krakatoa
Richard Lindzen