El Nino: Global Ripple Effect

The strengthening of the polar jet stream.

The weakening or reversal of the trade winds.

An increase in volcanic activity in the Pacific Ocean.

The cooling of the Indian Ocean surface temperatures.

Westward toward the Indian Ocean.

Northward toward the Gulf of Alaska.

Eastward toward the coast of South America.

Southward toward the Southern Ocean.

• It shifts further north, bringing unusually cold air to the southern United States.

It weakens and disappears, causing stagnant weather patterns across the continent.

It moves further south and becomes more linear, often leading to wetter conditions in the southern U.S.

It moves into a vertical "meridional" pattern, blocking all moisture from reaching the West Coast.

It typically leads to a significant increase in the number of hurricanes in the Atlantic basin.

• It tends to suppress Atlantic hurricane activity due to increased vertical wind shear.

It has no measurable effect on hurricane formation in any ocean basin.

• It causes hurricanes to form exclusively in the Arctic Circle.

Answer Key

Volcanic eruptions

The moon

Ocean currents

The sun

Every century

Every decade

Every few years

Every year

It remains unchanged

It becomes warmer than usual

It experiences more storms

It becomes colder than usual

Yes

No

It strengthens the monsoon

It weakens the monsoon

It has no impact

It causes floods

To increase global temperatures

To stop El Niño from occurring

To understand the interconnectedness of Earth's systems

To predict weather for the next day