All Flashcards
What is ENSO?
El Niño-Southern Oscillation: a climate pattern with El Niño and La Niña phases.
Define El Niño.
Significant warming of Pacific Ocean surface waters between South America and Papua New Guinea.
Define La Niña.
Cooling of Pacific Ocean surface waters in the same region as El Niño.
What is the thermocline?
Layer in the ocean where a sharp temperature drop occurs.
Define upwelling.
Process where colder, deeper water rises to the surface.
What drives ENSO events?
Changes in trade winds and ocean temperatures in the Pacific Ocean.
How does El Niño affect the thermocline?
The thermocline deepens, reducing the amount of cool water near the surface.
How does La Niña affect the thermocline?
The thermocline becomes shallower, bringing cooler water to the surface.
How does El Niño affect precipitation on the west coast of South America?
It increases precipitation, often leading to flooding.
How does La Niña affect temperatures in many parts of the world?
Generally, it leads to cooler temperatures and wet conditions.
What happens to trade winds during El Nino?
Trade winds weaken or reverse direction.
What happens to trade winds during La Nina?
Trade winds strengthen, blowing more intensely from east to west.
What is the relationship between El Nino and global warming?
During El Niño, the ocean's ability to absorb heat decreases, potentially contributing to global warming.
How do ENSO events affect species relocation?
Rapid climate changes can force species to relocate if their habitats become too warm or cold, disrupting ecosystems.
How do ENSO events affect bird migration patterns?
Bird migration patterns can be significantly altered, affecting breeding and survival rates.
What is ENSO?
El Niño-Southern Oscillation: a climate pattern involving changes in sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
What is El Niño?
A warming of the Pacific Ocean surface waters between South America and Papua New Guinea, disrupting normal weather patterns.
What is La Niña?
A cooling of the Pacific Ocean surface waters in the same region where El Niño occurs.
What is the thermocline?
The layer in the ocean where a sharp temperature drop occurs.
What is upwelling?
The process where colder, deeper water rises to the surface.