El Niño and Kelvin Waves Quiz

What is the primary function of the Jason-2 satellite?

• To map the global ocean and monitor sea surface height

• To observe polar ice cap melting

• To monitor global land temperatures

• To track atmospheric pressure changes

How are Kelvin waves related to El Niño?

• They are unrelated phenomena

• Kelvin waves are caused by El Niño

• El Niño prevents the formation of Kelvin waves

• Kelvin waves can signal the onset of El Niño

What typically causes the formation of Kelvin waves?

• A temporary faltering of trade winds

• A prolonged period of strong trade winds

• A sudden increase in ocean salinity

• A decrease in oceanic volcanic activity

What was significant about the El Niño event of 1997/98?

• It was weaker than the 2014 event

• It caused a global cooling effect

• It was a textbook example of El Niño

• It was the first recorded El Niño event

What recent development in 2014 is causing excitement among scientists?

• A sudden increase in global temperatures

• A decrease in oceanic volcanic activity

• A new satellite launch

• A third weakening of the Pacific trade winds