Kiyomi Nakata 4.9 El Niño La Niña

Gyers

large ocean circular pattern due to global wind (clockwise in N hemisphere, counterclockwise in S hemisphere)

Upwelling zones

areas of ocean where winds blow warm surface water away from a land mass, drawing up colder, deeper water to replace it

Thermohaline Circulation

connects all of the world's oceans, mixing salt/nutrients/temp throughout

El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

pattern of shifting atmospheric pressure & ocean currents in the pacific between South America and Australia/Southeast Asia

Normal Year

trade winds blow equator water W <-- E
cool water near SA (good fisherie$); high pressure
heat and precip. in Australia/SE Asia; low pressure

El Niño Year

trade winds weaken, then reverse W --> E
heat and precip. near NA and SA (poor fisherie$); low pressure
cooler, drier conditions in Australia/SE Asia; high pressure

La Niña Year

stronger than normal trade winds W <--<--<-- E
extra cool water near SA (extra good fisherie$); high pressure
more heat and precip. than normal in Australia/SE Asia; low pressure