El Nino & La Nina

Front

What is El Niño?

Back

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

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is La Niña?

Back

La Niña is a climate pattern that represents the cooling of surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, often leading to opposite weather effects compared to El Niño.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

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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.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

Front

How does El Niño affect marine life?

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El Niño can disrupt upwelling, reducing nutrients available for marine life, which can lead to decreased fish populations.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-3

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Front

What are the typical effects of El Niño on global weather?

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El Niño can cause increased rainfall in some regions, droughts in others, and can influence storm patterns worldwide.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What are the typical effects of La Niña on global weather?

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La Niña often leads to cooler and wetter conditions in the western Pacific and drier conditions in the eastern Pacific.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is the ENSO cycle?

Back

The ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) cycle includes the periodic fluctuations between El Niño and La Niña events, affecting global climate.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

How often do El Niño and La Niña events occur?

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El Niño and La Niña events typically occur every 2-7 years.

Front

What is the significance of the Pacific Ocean in El Niño and La Niña?

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The Pacific Ocean is the primary region where El Niño and La Niña events occur, significantly impacting global weather patterns.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

Front

What is the role of trade winds in El Niño and La Niña?

Back

Trade winds are weakened during El Niño, allowing warm water to accumulate in the eastern Pacific, while they strengthen during La Niña, pushing warm water westward.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6