El Nino and La Nina - AP Environmental Science
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Which phase of ENSO is typically associated with reduced hurricane activity in the Atlantic?
Which phase of ENSO is typically associated with reduced hurricane activity in the Atlantic?
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El Niño. El Niño increases wind shear that disrupts hurricane formation.
El Niño. El Niño increases wind shear that disrupts hurricane formation.
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What atmospheric pressure pattern is associated with El Niño?
What atmospheric pressure pattern is associated with El Niño?
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Decreased pressure over the eastern Pacific and increased pressure over the western Pacific. This pressure pattern creates weakened trade winds during El Niño.
Decreased pressure over the eastern Pacific and increased pressure over the western Pacific. This pressure pattern creates weakened trade winds during El Niño.
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Identify the term for the entire cycle of El Niño and La Niña events.
Identify the term for the entire cycle of El Niño and La Niña events.
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El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). ENSO encompasses both oceanic and atmospheric components of this cycle.
El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). ENSO encompasses both oceanic and atmospheric components of this cycle.
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Identify the impact of La Niña on sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific.
Identify the impact of La Niña on sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific.
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Sea surface temperatures decrease. Enhanced upwelling brings cold deep water to the surface.
Sea surface temperatures decrease. Enhanced upwelling brings cold deep water to the surface.
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Which ENSO phase often leads to increased snow in the Pacific Northwest?
Which ENSO phase often leads to increased snow in the Pacific Northwest?
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La Niña. Cooler temperatures and northern jet stream enhance snowfall.
La Niña. Cooler temperatures and northern jet stream enhance snowfall.
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What is the Walker Circulation?
What is the Walker Circulation?
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A conceptual model of air flow in the equatorial Pacific associated with trade winds. This circulation drives normal east-to-west surface wind patterns.
A conceptual model of air flow in the equatorial Pacific associated with trade winds. This circulation drives normal east-to-west surface wind patterns.
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What is the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)?
What is the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)?
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A measure of the difference in air pressure between Tahiti and Darwin. SOI quantifies atmospheric pressure oscillation across the Pacific.
A measure of the difference in air pressure between Tahiti and Darwin. SOI quantifies atmospheric pressure oscillation across the Pacific.
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How does El Niño affect the monsoon season in India?
How does El Niño affect the monsoon season in India?
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It typically weakens the monsoon, leading to drier conditions. Altered Walker Circulation reduces moisture transport to India.
It typically weakens the monsoon, leading to drier conditions. Altered Walker Circulation reduces moisture transport to India.
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Identify one economic impact of La Niña.
Identify one economic impact of La Niña.
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Increased costs for heating due to colder winters. Colder temperatures increase energy demand for space heating.
Increased costs for heating due to colder winters. Colder temperatures increase energy demand for space heating.
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Identify the typical time interval between El Niño events.
Identify the typical time interval between El Niño events.
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Every 2 to 7 years. This irregular cycle varies in timing but follows this general pattern.
Every 2 to 7 years. This irregular cycle varies in timing but follows this general pattern.
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What happens to the Walker Circulation during La Niña?
What happens to the Walker Circulation during La Niña?
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The Walker Circulation strengthens. Enhanced pressure gradient intensifies normal circulation patterns.
The Walker Circulation strengthens. Enhanced pressure gradient intensifies normal circulation patterns.
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What is the typical duration of an El Niño event?
What is the typical duration of an El Niño event?
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9 to 12 months. Most El Niño events peak and decay within this timeframe.
9 to 12 months. Most El Niño events peak and decay within this timeframe.
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What is El Niño?
What is El Niño?
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A climate pattern characterized by warming of ocean surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific. This occurs when trade winds weaken, reducing upwelling of cold water.
A climate pattern characterized by warming of ocean surface waters in the central and eastern Pacific. This occurs when trade winds weaken, reducing upwelling of cold water.
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Which direction do the trade winds blow during El Niño?
Which direction do the trade winds blow during El Niño?
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Trade winds weaken and may reverse, blowing west to east. Weakened pressure gradient reduces normal easterly trade wind flow.
Trade winds weaken and may reverse, blowing west to east. Weakened pressure gradient reduces normal easterly trade wind flow.
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Which direction do the trade winds blow during La Niña?
Which direction do the trade winds blow during La Niña?
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Trade winds strengthen, blowing east to west. Strong pressure gradient enhances normal easterly trade wind flow.
Trade winds strengthen, blowing east to west. Strong pressure gradient enhances normal easterly trade wind flow.
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State the impact of El Niño on global weather patterns.
State the impact of El Niño on global weather patterns.
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Increased rainfall in the central and eastern Pacific, droughts in the western Pacific. Warm waters shift eastward, altering global precipitation patterns.
Increased rainfall in the central and eastern Pacific, droughts in the western Pacific. Warm waters shift eastward, altering global precipitation patterns.
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Which ENSO phase often results in floods in Australia?
Which ENSO phase often results in floods in Australia?
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La Niña. Enhanced Walker Circulation increases moisture transport to Australia.
La Niña. Enhanced Walker Circulation increases moisture transport to Australia.
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Identify one economic impact of El Niño.
Identify one economic impact of El Niño.
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Damage to agriculture due to altered weather patterns. Extreme weather events disrupt crop yields and food production.
Damage to agriculture due to altered weather patterns. Extreme weather events disrupt crop yields and food production.
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State the impact of La Niña on global weather patterns.
State the impact of La Niña on global weather patterns.
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Drier conditions in the central and eastern Pacific, wetter conditions in the western Pacific. Cold waters persist in east, maintaining normal precipitation patterns.
Drier conditions in the central and eastern Pacific, wetter conditions in the western Pacific. Cold waters persist in east, maintaining normal precipitation patterns.
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Which ocean is primarily affected by El Niño and La Niña?
Which ocean is primarily affected by El Niño and La Niña?
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Pacific Ocean. The Pacific spans the equatorial region where ENSO events originate.
Pacific Ocean. The Pacific spans the equatorial region where ENSO events originate.
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What is the effect of La Niña on the jet stream over North America?
What is the effect of La Niña on the jet stream over North America?
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The jet stream typically shifts northward. Northern shift keeps storm tracks away from southern regions.
The jet stream typically shifts northward. Northern shift keeps storm tracks away from southern regions.
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Which ENSO phase is associated with coral bleaching events?
Which ENSO phase is associated with coral bleaching events?
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El Niño. Warmer waters stress corals, causing them to expel symbiotic algae.
El Niño. Warmer waters stress corals, causing them to expel symbiotic algae.
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What is the primary indicator used to predict ENSO events?
What is the primary indicator used to predict ENSO events?
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Sea surface temperature anomalies in the equatorial Pacific. Temperature changes in specific Pacific regions signal ENSO development.
Sea surface temperature anomalies in the equatorial Pacific. Temperature changes in specific Pacific regions signal ENSO development.
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How does La Niña affect the monsoon season in India?
How does La Niña affect the monsoon season in India?
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It typically strengthens the monsoon, leading to wetter conditions. Enhanced Walker Circulation increases moisture transport to India.
It typically strengthens the monsoon, leading to wetter conditions. Enhanced Walker Circulation increases moisture transport to India.
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Which phase of ENSO is typically associated with hurricanes in the Atlantic?
Which phase of ENSO is typically associated with hurricanes in the Atlantic?
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La Niña. La Niña's cooler waters reduce wind shear that inhibits hurricanes.
La Niña. La Niña's cooler waters reduce wind shear that inhibits hurricanes.
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What is the typical effect of La Niña on the fisheries of the west coast of South America?
What is the typical effect of La Niña on the fisheries of the west coast of South America?
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Improved fish populations due to cooler, nutrient-rich waters. Strong upwelling brings nutrients to surface, supporting fish growth.
Improved fish populations due to cooler, nutrient-rich waters. Strong upwelling brings nutrients to surface, supporting fish growth.
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What is the typical duration of a La Niña event?
What is the typical duration of a La Niña event?
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1 to 3 years. La Niña events tend to persist longer than El Niño events.
1 to 3 years. La Niña events tend to persist longer than El Niño events.
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What is the effect of El Niño on the jet stream over North America?
What is the effect of El Niño on the jet stream over North America?
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The jet stream typically shifts southward. Southern shift brings storms and rain to southern regions.
The jet stream typically shifts southward. Southern shift brings storms and rain to southern regions.
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Identify the impact of El Niño on sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific.
Identify the impact of El Niño on sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific.
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Sea surface temperatures increase. Reduced upwelling allows surface waters to warm significantly.
Sea surface temperatures increase. Reduced upwelling allows surface waters to warm significantly.
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What is the effect of El Niño on rainfall in Southern California?
What is the effect of El Niño on rainfall in Southern California?
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Increased rainfall. Southward jet stream carries moisture-laden storms to the region.
Increased rainfall. Southward jet stream carries moisture-laden storms to the region.
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