E:Atmospheric Environments

Question 1

What does ENSO stand for

Answer 1

El Nino Southern Oscillation

Question 2

What is El Nino associated with

Answer 2

Warmer sea surface temperatures

Question 3

What is La Nina associated with

Answer 3

Cooler than average sea surface temperatures

Question 4

Describe the atmospheric circulation during a La Nina

Answer 4

Conditions are described as an intense version of the normal. Strong trade winds causes warm to be pushed West to the coast of Australia. This causes low pressure to form and rise over Australia causing higher levels of rainfall, air then travels East and sinks around South America causing drier conditions

Question 5

The describe the atmospheric circulation during an El Nino

Answer 5

• There is a reversal in the winds, causing opposite conditions to normal
• Winds push warm surface water east to South America. This causes the air to rise as low pressure and there is increased rainfall over South America, and drier conditions over Australia. LP=Australia and HP=South America
• The thermocline off the coast of Peru doesn’t rise close to the surface resulting in warmer water offshore

Question 6

Ways of predicting ENSO events

Answer 6

• Buoys have been placed in the Pacific Ocean to monitor water temperatures
• Polar Orbiting satellites measure humidity, wind and air temperature
• Topex satellites measure sea-surface elevation and circulation
• Biological surveys, and the number and type of fish will tell you about temperature and nutrients in the water