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Climate Risk Management > ENSO Climate Change Quiz > Flashcards

ENSO Climate Change Quiz Flashcards

1
Q

Definition

El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

A

A recurring climate pattern involving changes in the temperature of water in the central and eastern tropcial Pacific Ocean

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2
Q

Definition

El Nino
(“The Little Boy”)

A

Refers to the weakening or potentially even the reversal of the easterly trade winds along the equator, allowing warm water from the western Pacific Ocean to move east to produce warmer than normal sea surface temperatures in the central to eastern Pacific Ocean

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3
Q

Definition

La Nina
(“The Little Girl”)

A

Refers to the normal or “stronger than normal” conditions where easterly trade winds push the warm water of the Pacific to the west, allowing upwelling of cold deep water to occur in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, causing colder than normal sea surface temperatures in this region

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4
Q

Definition

Teleconnection

A

An event or process that influences weather/climate pattern 1000s of miles away or even globally

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5
Q

Southern Oscillation Index

A
  • Standardized index based on observed sea level pressure differences between Tahita and Darwin, Australia
  • Measures the large scale fluctuation in air pressure between the eastern and western Pacific Ocean
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6
Q

Southern Oscillation Index

Negative Phase

A
  • Below normal air pressure at Tahiti and above at Darwin
  • Means warmer than normal water in the eastern Pacific (warm water means warmer, rising air and lower atmospheric pressure) and colder than normal in the western Pacific -> El Nino
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7
Q

Southern Oscillation Index

Positive Phase

A
  • Above normal air pressure at Tahiti and below at Darwin
  • Means colder than normal water in the eastern Pacific (cold water means colder, sinking air and higher atmospheric pressure) and warmer than normal in the western Pacific -> La Nina
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8
Q

Definition

Equatorical Southern Oscillation Index

A

Uses pressure anomalies over Indonesia and the far eastern Pacific over the equator

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9
Q

Definition

Weather

A

The day to day variation in sky condition, temperature, precipitation, wind, etc.

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10
Q

Definition

Climate

A

The distribution of a particular weather variable over a period of time
(normally 30 years)

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11
Q

Climate Normal

A

A 30 year average of a weather/climate variable (eg. temperature)
- Also includes degree days, probabilities, standard deviations, etc.

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12
Q

Time Scales of Climate Change

Tectonic Scale

A

Climate change over intervals of millions of years

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13
Q

TIme Scales of Climate Change

Orbital Scale

A

Climate change over intervals of tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of years

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14
Q

Time Scales of Climate Change

Milliennial Oscillation Scale

A

Fluctuations in climate lasting thousands of years

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15
Q

Plate Tectonics Theory

A

A theory that states that the outer portion of Earth is made up several individual plates, which move in relation to one another upon a partially molten zone below
- As the plates moves, so do the continents

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16
Q

Milankovitch Cycles*

A

Systematic changes in 3 elements of Earth’s Orbit
- Eccentricity
- Obliquity
- Precession

17
Q

Eccentricity*

A

Refers to the shape of Earth’s orbit around the sun
(ie how much the orbit is squashed)

18
Q

Obliquity*

A

Refers to axial tilt of Earth with respect to its orbital place
- Shift from 22.1-24.5 and back again

19
Q

Precession

A

Wobbling of Earth’s axis like a spinning top thats winding down

20
Q

How does El Nino Influence Weather

A

Blocking high pressure pushes the colder air towards northern part of the United States

21
Q

How does La Nina Influence Weather

A

Low pressure pushes the warm air towards the southern part of the United States

22
Q

Below Normal Air Pressure at Tahiti and Above Normal at Darwin

A

Negative Phase
(El Nino)
(Lower Atmospheric Pressure)

23
Q

Above Normal Air Pressure at Tahiti and Below Normal at Darwin

A

Positive Phase
(La Nina)
(Higher Atmospheric Pressure)

24
Q

What’s climate change specifically?

A

It’s a change in the distribution of a variable

25
Q

What is the water temperature for La Nina

A

Pacific Tropic below normal

26
Q

Whats the water temperature for El Nino

A

Pacific Tropic above normal

Climate Risk Management (6 decks)

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