3.4 El Niño, La Niña, and the Southern Oscillation

Open Ended

Think about it...

The closest part of the Southern Pacific Ocean is about 3000 to 4000 miles away from Pennsylvania.

So, if the Southern Pacific Ocean warms or cools down, how can it have an impact on our weather patterns?

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Multiple Choice

What is the main cause of El Niño?

• strong easterly winds pushing warm water to the western Pacific

• weak westerly winds allowing cold water to accumulate in the eastern Pacific

• weak easterly winds allowing warm water to accumulate in the eastern Pacific

Categorize

Options (6)

warmer temperatures

weaker trade winds

reduced upwelling

cooler temperatures

stronger trade winds

increased upwelling

Classify the weather conditions according to whether they are associated with, an El Niño event or a La Niña event.

El Niño

La Niña

Multiple Choice

Which of the following correctly describes the Southern Oscillation Index

(SOI)?

• It is a measure of atmospheric pressure differences between Tahiti and Darwin.

• It is a measure of rainfall patterns in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

• It is a measure of the movement of ocean currents in the Pacific Ocean.

Multiple Choice

A farmer in Australia is concerned about the impact of the Southern

Oscillation on his crop yield. What is the most likely effect of a positive

Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) on his crop yield?

• increased crop yield due to more rainfall

• decreased crop yield due to drought

• increased crop yield due to warm weather

Multiple Choice

What happens during a negative Indian Ocean Dipole?

• The western Indian Ocean becomes warmer than the eastern Indian Ocean.

• The western Indian Ocean becomes cooler than the eastern Indian Ocean.

• The western Indian Ocean shows drought conditions, while the eastern Indian

  Ocean does not.

Open Ended

How might the fishing industry in Peru be impacted by the occurrence of an El Niño

event or a La Niña event?

_{You can start your response with:}

The fishing industry in Peru . . .

Multiple Choice

Exit Ticket...

Which ocean is affected by El Niño / La Niña?

• Atlantic

• Pacific

• Indian