Understanding ENSO: El Niño and La Niña Phenomena

What are El Niño and La Niña primarily associated with?

• Polar ice cap melting

• Urban heat islands

• Deforestation rates

• Oceanic temperature fluctuations

When were the connections between El Niño and the Southern Oscillation first recognized?

• In the 17th century

• In the 1960s

• During the Medieval Warm Period

• In the early 20th century

What triggers the onset of an El Niño event?

• Decrease in solar radiation

• Strengthening of trade winds

• Increased volcanic activity

• Weakening of trade winds

Which of the following is a consequence of El Niño?

• More hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean

• Cooler temperatures in Southeast Asia

• Drought in Central America

• Increased rainfall in the Sahara Desert

What effect does El Niño have on global temperatures?

• Only affects temperatures in the Southern Hemisphere

• Contributes to higher global temperatures

• Has no significant effect on global temperatures

• Leads to a global cooling effect

What is a defining characteristic of La Niña?

• Decreased hurricane activity

• Colder sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific

• Warmer sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific

• Lower atmospheric CO2 levels

How does La Niña affect weather patterns?

• Reduces typhoons in the Pacific

• Causes widespread flooding in Europe

• Increases snowfall in the Sahara

• Leads to drought in East Africa

How long do La Niña events typically last?

• 12 to 18 months

• 9 to 12 months

• 6 to 9 months

• 3 to 5 months

What is uncertain about the future of ENSO events?

• Their impact on ocean currents

• How they will be affected by climate change

• Their influence on marine life

• The ability to predict them using technology

Since 1950, how have El Niño and La Niña events changed?

• Became less frequent but more intense

• No significant change in frequency or intensity

• Became more frequent but less intense

• Became more frequent and more intense