El Niño's Global Impact and Oceanic Dynamics Explained

El Niño is a climate phenomenon occurring every few years in the Pacific Ocean, affecting global weather patterns by altering trade winds and ocean temperatures. It can lead to floods, droughts, and temperature changes worldwide. Normally, trade winds push warm water westward, creating a temperature difference across the Pacific. During El Niño, these winds weaken, causing warm water to spread eastward, altering weather patterns. This can increase global temperatures and impact socio-economic conditions. La Niña, the opposite phase, strengthens trade winds, cooling the eastern Pacific and having opposite weather effects.

What is one of the main global impacts of the El Niño phenomenon?

• Increased volcanic activity

• Changes in global weather patterns

• Decreased ocean salinity

• Increased solar radiation

What role do trade winds play in the tropical Pacific under normal conditions?

• They push warm water towards the western Pacific

• They increase the salinity of the ocean

• They decrease the temperature of the ocean

• They cause hurricanes to form

What is the process called when cold water is pulled up from deeper in the ocean?

• Downwelling

• Upwelling

• Thermocline

• Convection

How does El Niño affect the trade winds?

• It has no effect on them

• It changes their direction to north-south

• It strengthens them

• It weakens or reverses them

Which regions are most affected by El Niño in terms of increased flood risk?

• Greenland

• South Africa

• Australia

• Peru

What is a significant socio-economic impact of El Niño?

• Decrease in global trade

• Disruption of fishing industries

• Increased agricultural productivity

• Increase in tourism

Why do El Niño years often rank among the warmest on record?

• Because of decreased cloud cover

• Because of the extra heat released into the atmosphere

• Due to volcanic eruptions

• Due to increased solar activity

What is the main characteristic of La Niña in terms of ocean conditions?

• Decreased ocean currents

• Cooler water extending from the Americas

• Increased ocean salinity

• Warmer water in the eastern Pacific

How does La Niña typically affect global weather compared to El Niño?

• It has the same effects as El Niño

• It tends to have opposite effects

• It only affects the southern hemisphere

• It only affects the northern hemisphere

What happens to the trade winds during La Niña?

• They disappear

• They strengthen

• They reverse direction

• They weaken