10 Questions
What do El Niño and La Niña collectively make up?
ENSO cycle
How often do El Niño and La Niña episodes occur?
Every 3-5 years
When do El Niño and La Niña usually form?
In the summer, between June and August
What causes the cooler water in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean?
Winds blowing from east to west
When does El Niño event occur?
When the winds blowing east to west are not as strong as normal
What creates Rossby waves in the ocean?
El Niño reaching the middle of the ocean
What is the effect of La Niña in the U.S.?
Drier conditions in the Southwest
What is the role of Kelvin wave in relation to El Niño and La Niña?
Brings enough cool water to cancel out the warming from El Niño
What are the effects of El Niño and La Niña on Australia and Indonesia?
Drought during El Niño and heavier-than-normal rainfall during La Niña
Why is predicting the effects of ENSO cycles important?
To help people plan and prepare for impacts on weather and livelihoods
Study Notes
El Niño and La Niña
- El Niño and La Niña collectively make up the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle.
Frequency and Formation
- El Niño and La Niña episodes occur every 2-7 years.
- El Niño and La Niña usually form during the winter months (December to February) in the Northern Hemisphere.
Cooler Water in the Pacific Ocean
- The trade winds blowing from east to west cause the cooler water in the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean.
El Niño Event
- An El Niño event occurs when the trade winds weaken, and the warmer water spreads from the western Pacific towards the eastern Pacific.
Rossby Waves
- Rossby waves in the ocean are created by the rotation of the Earth and the Coriolis force.
La Niña Effects in the U.S.
- La Niña typically brings cooler and wetter conditions to the Pacific Northwest, and warmer and drier conditions to the Southwest in the U.S.
Kelvin Wave
- A Kelvin wave is a type of ocean wave that plays a key role in initiating and sustaining El Niño and La Niña events by propagating warm or cool water anomalies across the Pacific Ocean.
Effects on Australia and Indonesia
- El Niño events tend to bring drought to Australia and wildfires, while La Niña events tend to bring heavy rainfall and floods.
- El Niño events tend to bring drought to Indonesia, while La Niña events tend to bring heavy rainfall and floods.
Predicting ENSO Cycles
- Predicting the effects of ENSO cycles is important for agricultural planning, water resources management, and disaster preparedness, as it can help mitigate the impacts of El Niño and La Niña events on ecosystems and human societies.
Test your knowledge about El Niño and La Niña with this quiz! Learn about the ENSO cycle, abnormally warm and cool ocean temperatures in the eastern tropical Pacific, and the natural phenomenon of El Niño and La Niña.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
