MARS 1500 – Investigating El Nino Activity – 10 points
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Hawaii Pacific University *
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Course
1500
Subject
Geography
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
Pages
3
Uploaded by JusticeStarWhale43
MARS 1500 – Investigating El Nino Activity – 10 points
Go to:
https://noaa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=7a6ff2dc781041bcad7f790a71
9a42dd
Discuss the following questions with your classmates. Each student MUST submit their answers
during class time
to get full credit. You MUST have permission from the instructor to make up
this assignment.
Level 1:
1) What do lines of latitude indicate?
Lines of latitude indicate degrees north and south of the equator.
2) According to the map, the average monthly sea surface temperature at 5° North and 140°
West is approximately ___26____°C
3) Why is it important for researchers to look at data for more than one year to determine sea
surface temperature change?
This is because from year to year, temperature patterns may be quite different, and a lot of data
is needed to analyze trends.
Level 2:
1) What were the monthly average sea surface temperatures (SST) in degrees Celsius along 0°
latitude (the equator) at these locations?
Longitude
140° E
180°
140° W
100° W
SST
28.7
30.1
27.5
23.7
2) What was the SST at these locations in December 2010? Use both the map and graph to
help you.
Longitude
140° E
180°
140° W
100° W
SST
30.1
27
24.4
21
3) What is one advantage of using a map over a line graph?
A map can help to explain data patterns over large areas.
4) Go to the “Get Data” tab to create a SST map for the Northern Pacific Ocean.
a.
Under “Select a Region” create a boundary box to span the North Pacific and
include the Hawaiian Islands.
b.
Under “Which timespan?” click on “monthly” and then "Specify a date” from 2022
or 2023.
c.
Scroll down and click “download image.”
d.
Once you have your map of SST for that month, repeat the process and choose
a
different
month in 2022 or 2023. I would suggest choosing a winter month and a
summer month when the SST might vary the most. Do NOT change your boundary box!
Please note that it might take a while to download the images. You might want to have
another person in your group have the activity open so you can start on Level 3 while
you’re waiting.
e.
What months did you choose? Compare the images and record any
observations.
June 2022
December 2022
The images in the two months look similar.
Level 3:
1) Compare the graphs of a “normal” year vs an El Nino year. What is the difference?
An El Niño year has warmer temperatures.
2) To determine if an El Niño event occurred during the winter of 2015-2016, decide what
specific TEMPERATURE data you will need to answer the question. Will you need data from
more than one month or year? Which months/years?
You would need data from more than one year, like 2014-2015 or 2016-2017, so that you can
compare the data.
Although the program gives you the option to create both maps and graphs, ONLY use SST
MAPS to answer the question. You will select “download image” and NOT the data file.
3) Interpret the data: What does your data show? Record your observations below. Be specific
and descriptive.
The data indicates that during the winter in 2015 (December), the water temperature was higher
than usual.
4) Draw a Conclusion: Did an El Niño event occur during the winter of 2015-2016?
Yes
Level 4:
1) The narrow green region along the coast of California indicates: high levels of nutrients and
phytoplankton
Research Project: Exploring El Niño and Chlorophyll Data
Hypothesis
: During an El Niño event, when sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific
Ocean increase, the amount of phytoplankton, as measured using chlorophyll-a, increases.
Compare the DATA maps and graphs for 2009 and 2010.
2) Which year shows warmer sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific (near the
equator)?
2009
3) Which year shows higher chlorophyll concentrations in the eastern Pacific (near Mexico
City)?
2010
4) Which was the El Niño year?
2009
5) Which statement best describes the relationship between El Niño, SST, and chlorophyll
concentration?
SST increases and chlorophyll concentration decreases along the equator during El Niño years.
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