El Niño 101 | National Geographic

Summary

El Niño, a significant weather phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean, occurs every two to seven years and causes a rise in sea surface temperatures, leading to global climate changes and natural disasters. Originating from its impact on South American fishermen, El Niño affects marine life, causing migrations due to blocked nutrient-rich upwelling. It brings increased storms and floods to the Americas and droughts to Southeast Asia and Australia. The 1997-98 El Niño was the most severe, causing extensive damage and loss of life. Scientists are now better equipped to predict these events, aiding communities in preparing for the drastic weather changes.

Takeaways

• 🌊 El Nino is a significant weather phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean that can trigger a range of climate changes and natural disasters globally.
• 🌡️ It is characterized by a warming of surface water temperatures, which can rise 0.5 degrees Celsius above the historic average for three consecutive months.
• 🌍 The effects of El Nino are widespread, impacting regions from Alaska to South America and beyond.
• 🐟 The phenomenon disrupts marine ecosystems by blocking the upwelling of nutrient-rich waters, affecting marine life and fisheries.
• 🌤️ El Nino is not a storm but a complex set of atmospheric and oceanic interactions that alter normal weather patterns.
• 🌪️ In the western United States, Central, and South America, El Nino can lead to increased storms, rainfall, floods, and vector-borne diseases.
• 🔥 Conversely, in Southeast Asia and Australia, El Nino can cause droughts, wildfires, and colder ocean temperatures.
• 📉 The 1997-98 El Nino was the most severe on record, causing extensive damage, estimated at 2100 deaths and $33 billion in damages.
• 🔍 Scientists have improved their ability to predict El Nino events, which aids in community preparedness and adaptation to its impacts.
• ⏱️ El Nino events typically occur every two to seven years, with varying degrees of intensity and geographical impact.

Q & A

What is El Nino and how does it differ from a typical storm?

El Nino is a weather phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean, not a storm. It is characterized by a warming of surface water temperatures, leading to complex weather patterns.

How did El Nino get its name?

South American fishermen in the 19th century named it 'El Nino', which means 'The Blessed Child' in Spanish, due to the warmer waters they observed during Christmas time.

What are the criteria for officially declaring an El Nino event?

An El Nino event is officially declared when sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean rise by 0.5 degrees Celsius over their historic average for three consecutive months, and atmospheric conditions and rainfall patterns shift accordingly.

How often does an El Nino event typically occur?

El Nino events take place approximately every two to seven years.

What happens to the trade winds and warm water during an El Nino event?

During an El Nino event, the normal east to west trade winds over the Pacific weaken, causing warm water that usually travels westward to move eastward instead.

How does El Nino affect marine life and fisheries?

El Nino causes warm water to push colder water downward, blocking the upwelling of nutrient-rich waters from the bottom. This leads to marine life migration, impacting animals that feed on them and causing difficulties for fisheries in Central and South America.

What are the most noticeable effects of El Nino on land?

The most noticeable effects of El Nino on land include increased storms, rainfall, floods, loss of life and property, and the increase of vector-borne diseases like malaria in the western United States, Central, and South America.

How does El Nino impact Southeast Asia and Australia?

In contrast to the effects in the Americas, Southeast Asia and Australia suffer from droughts, wildfires, and colder ocean waters during an El Nino event.

What was the impact of the 1997-98 El Nino, the largest recorded?

The 1997-98 El Nino was blamed for approximately 2100 deaths and $33 billion in damages worldwide. It caused record flooding in Peru, storms in the Gulf Coast, flash flooding from California to Mississippi, and tornadoes in Florida.

How have scientists improved in predicting El Nino events?

Scientists are now better able to predict El Nino events by monitoring sea surface temperatures and atmospheric conditions, which helps communities prepare for the changes in weather patterns and adapt to its repercussions.

What are the benefits of predicting El Nino events?

Predicting El Nino events allows communities to better prepare for extreme weather conditions, potentially reducing the impact on life, property, and the environment.