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El Niño & La Niña

El Niño & La Niña. Normal Pacific Conditions. In normal years , atmospheric pressure is greater in the eastern Pacific than in the western Pacific. The trade winds blow surface water from east to west.

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El Niño & La Niña

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  1. El Niño & La Niña

  2. Normal Pacific Conditions • In normal years , atmospheric pressure is greater in the eastern Pacific than in the western Pacific. • The trade winds blow surface water from east to west. • Warm water "piles up" in the western Pacific and sea level is higher than it is in the east.

  3. Upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water occurs along the western coast of South America • More nutrients = more phytoplankton = food fishing

  4. El Niño • First noticed off coast of Peru around Christmas, El Niño refers to the Christ child • Occurs every 2 – 7 years • Unusual and atmospheric conditions • Trade winds slack off or reverse • Warm water moves eastward • Upwelling slacks off or stops completely

  5. Compare the thermocline from normal conditions (above) to El Niño (below)

  6. Effects of El Niño… • Western Pacific (ex. Indonesia) does not get rain • No monsoon season • Drought • Fires • Eastern Pacific (ex. South America) • Tropical thunderstorms • Flooding

  7. El Niño affects global climate:

  8. La Niña • Opposite effects of El Niño • Stronger winds • Colder temperatures

  9. Comparing El Niño and La Niña La Niña • Colder ocean temps • Frequency unknown • Drier than normal summers • Strong trade winds • Increased hurricane activity in Atlantic El Niño • Warmer ocean temps • Occurs every 3-7 years • Wetter than normal summers • Weak trade winds • Fewer Atlantic hurricanes

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