El nino Flashcards
1
Q
Define El nino
A
a sequence of changes in the atmosphere and water circulation across the pacific ocean.
2
Q
El nino effects on Eastern australia
A
Droughts
fires
storms
heatwaves
clearer skies
3
Q
El nino effects on western Australia
A
leeuwin current= weaker and cooler leading to reduction in species relying on it for locomo.tion
4
Q
El ni no effects on America (eastern pacific)
A
- flooding
- Storms
- more warm water stops the upwelling of cold water in the peruvisn current, having negative effects of wildlife and fishing
5
Q
Describe each step in El nino
A
- trade winds weaken
- warm water from western pacific flows towards the eastern
- warm water pools closer to america
- walker circulation breaks down into smaller cells causing more evaportion and precipitaion in the centre of the pacific ocean.
- the leeuwin current is blocked by teh cold water in the western pacific
- cold water current is blocked by warm pool of water in the east
6
Q
What is the opposite of El nino
A
La nina and the walker circulation
7
Q
Effects on biodiversity
A
Threaten marine species
benefit terrstrial species
8
Q
Effects on marine life
A
Fish die or migrate to other areas
9
Q
Effects on commercial fishing
A
loss of important species where the typically occur
