ENSO
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AP Environmental Science › ENSO
The El Niño phase of ENSO is associated with:
warmer sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific and higher rainfall in the central Pacific
cooler sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific and higher rainfall in the western Pacific
strong upwelling of nutrient-rich cold water in the eastern Pacific
stronger hurricanes affecting the western United States
increased rainfall in South America
Explanation
The El Niño phase of ENSO is associated with warmer surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific and higher rainfall in the central Pacific. Storms and hurricanes are more frequent in the central Pacific. There is a weaker upwelling of nutrient-rich water off the coast of South America during this phase.
ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) weather patterns are characterized by variations in air pressure and temperature. Which type of ENSO pattern contains both low air surface pressure and a cooling phase?
La Nina
El Nino
Madden-Julian oscillation
Coriolis effect
Explanation
The correct response is La Nina. The La Nina has low air pressure and cooling, while El Nino contains high air pressure and warming. Madden-Julian oscillation and Coriolis effect do not make sense as answer choices.
The impacts of ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) will most strongly impact countries that border which body of water?
Pacific Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Arctic Ocean
Indian Ocean
Explanation
The correct response is Pacific Ocean. ENSO occurs specifically in the Pacific Ocean, thus its impacts will most strongly impact countries bordering the Pacific.