Chapter 6 - ENSO

Question 1

What is ENSO?

Answer 1

The combined oceanic and atmospheric phenomenon that is improperly called El Niño.

The oceanic contribution is El Niño, EN-
The atmospheric contribution is the Southern Oscillation, -SO

Question 2

What are the phases of ENSO?

Answer 2

1. El Niño is the warm portion
2. La Niña is the cool portion
3. a Neutral portion cannot be classified as either

Question 3

What is El Niño?

Answer 3

The warm phase of ENSO, the warm pool and associated convective rainfall move toward the central Pacific

Question 4

What are the effects of El Niño?

Answer 4

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Question 5

How can it be determined whether El Niño has begun?

Answer 5

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Question 6

What is the Southern Oscillation?

Answer 6

A major shift in atmospheric pressure, winds and other factors in the equatorial Pacific that affect weather elsewhere.

Question 7

SOI

Answer 7

‘Southern Oscillation Index’

a. Positive numbers indicate higher pressures in Tahiti, and the positive area will likely have higher pressures and less rainfall
b. Negative numbers indicate higher pressures at Darwin, and the positive area will likely have lower pressure and more rainfall