El Nino and La Nina

What is the thermocline in the Pacific Ocean?

• The zone of rapid change between the warm top layer and the deeper, colder ocean water.

• The area where plants like kelp and algae grow.

• The region of the ocean where surface currents occur.

• The deepest part of the Pacific Ocean.

What happens during an El Niño event?

• The trade winds weaken, causing the thermocline to flatten.

• The trade winds strengthen, causing more upwelling near South America.

• The thermocline slants more towards Australia.

• Global temperatures become colder than usual.

What is the main impact of La Niña on global temperatures?

• It creates colder global temperatures than usual.

• It creates warmer global temperatures than usual.

• It causes droughts in Australia and Indonesia.

• It disrupts the fishing industry in South America.

What is ENSO-Neutral condition in the Pacific Ocean?

• Normal trade winds causing upwelling near South America and rain near Australia.

• Weakened trade winds causing less upwelling near South America.

• Strengthened trade winds causing more upwelling near South America.

• Flattened thermocline causing rain in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Which is more dense?

• Cold, salt water

• Warm, salt water

• Cold, freshwater

• Warm, freshwater

What is upwelling?

• cold, deep water rising that enriches food chain

• cold, deep ocean water rising that causes fish populations to decline

• warm, surface water sinking that enriches food chain

• warm, surface water sinking that causes fish populations to decline

ENSO is a result of the interaction between the

• atmosphere and biosphere

• atmosphere and hydrosphere

• hydrosphere and cryosphere

• biosphere and geosphere

An increase in upwelling near South America is characteristic of

• El Nino

• La Nina

• ENSO

• ENSO-Neutral

Increases in tropical ocean surface temperatures also increase

• tsunamis

• earthquakes

• cyclones/hurricanes

• atmospheric ozone

How does La Nina conditions affect upwelling near South America?

• strengthening trade winds cause increase in upwelling

• weakening trade winds cause increase in upwelling

• strengthening trade winds cause decrease in upwelling

• weakening trade winds cause decrease in upwelling