ENSO CHeck

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What is El Niño?

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El Niño is a climate pattern characterized by the warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, which can disrupt normal weather patterns.

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What is La Niña?

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La Niña is a climate pattern that is the opposite of El Niño, characterized by cooler than normal ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, often leading to increased rainfall in some regions.

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What is upwelling?

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Upwelling is the process where deep, cold, nutrient-rich water rises to the surface, supporting marine life and fisheries.

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How does El Niño affect marine life?

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El Niño can disrupt upwelling, leading to a decrease in nutrients available for marine life, which can harm fish populations and the overall marine food chain.

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What are trade winds?

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Trade winds are steady winds that flow from east to west in the tropics, playing a crucial role in ocean currents and climate patterns.

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What happens to trade winds during an El Niño event?

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During an El Niño event, trade winds weaken, which can lead to changes in ocean temperatures and weather patterns.

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What is the impact of La Niña on weather patterns?

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La Niña typically brings cooler and wetter conditions to the western Pacific and drier conditions to the eastern Pacific, affecting global weather patterns.

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Why do fishermen in Peru dislike El Niño?

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Fishermen in Peru dislike El Niño because it shuts off upwelling, preventing nutrients from rising to the surface, which leads to a decline in fish populations.

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What is the typical temperature of the Pacific Ocean during an El Niño year?

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During an El Niño year, the Pacific Ocean is warmer than normal.

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What is the relationship between El Niño and global weather?

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El Niño can influence global weather patterns, leading to increased rainfall in some areas and droughts in others.