Chapter 51, Problem 2ITD

Summary Introduction

To review:

From the given graph, whether the anomalies in the SST (sea surface temperature) were of equal duration and magnitude or not is to be determined.

Introduction:

El Nino is a Southern oceanic phenomenon that occurs on the western coast of South America and the east coast of Australia, usually around the time of Christmas. The ocean water warms up by a change in the wind direction, and the warm water is pushed towards the western coast of South America. As a result of this, the anchovy fish die, and thus, the food chain is disrupted. The birds that feed on these fishes and whose dung (guano) is a source of fertilizer, also decline in number. Thus, the overall economy of Peru, Ecuador, and Chile suffers upon the arrival of El Nino. The reverse condition of El Nino is called La Nina.