Understanding ENSO Phenomena

What does ENSO stand for?

• El Niño Seasonal Oscillation

• El Niño Southern Oscillation

• Environmental Natural System Oscillation

• El Niño Storm Occurrence

Which phase of ENSO is associated with unusually warm ocean temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific?

• El Niño

• La Niña

• Neutral Phase

• Pacific Overturn

What happens to trade winds during an El Niño event?

• They weaken

• They strengthen

• They change direction

• They remain unchanged

Which of the following best describes La Niña?

• A cooling of ocean temperatures in the Pacific and stronger trade winds

• A warming of ocean temperatures in the Pacific and weaker trade winds

• A period of neutral ocean temperatures

• A hurricane-producing cycle

How often does ENSO typically switch between El Niño and La Niña?

• Every year

• Every 2-7 years

• Every 10-15 years

• Once a century

What effect does El Niño typically have on Australia?

• Increased rainfall and cooler temperatures

• Drier conditions and higher temperatures

• More frequent cyclones

• No significant impact

During a La Niña event, what is the most likely effect on South America’s west coast?

• Heavy flooding and storms

• Drier conditions and cooler ocean temperatures

• Increased upwelling and warmer waters

• No impact on weather patterns

What is upwelling, and how is it affected during El Niño?

• The warming of deep waters, which increases during El Niño

• The movement of deep, nutrient-rich water to the surface, which decreases during El Niño

• The cooling of surface waters, which strengthens during El Niño

• A process that only occurs during La Niña

Which scientist first identified the Southern Oscillation?

• Charles Darwin

• Alfred Wegener

• Sir Gilbert Walker

• Isaac Newton

What is the typical effect of La Niña on the western Pacific region?

• Drier conditions

• Increased rainfall and risk of flooding

• No effect

• Stronger hurricanes in the Atlantic