El Nino El Nino is the appearance of warm surface water from time to time in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific.

During El Nino, winds across the Pacific change direction and blow from West to East. Occurs every 3-7 years although getting more regular Changes weather patterns

Normal Year El Nino Trade winds change direction and move water from west to east Air pressures change: with high pressure in west, lower in east Less cold water by S.America so bad for fish stocks Trade winds move warm water from east to west Cold water by S.America important for fish stocks Low air pressure at west, high at east

Theories for the cause of El Nino Rossby Wave: waves lower the thermocline (boundary between cold deep water and warmer surface water) in the West Pacific reducing the upwelling of water. Winds then blow towards warmer waters and event starts Random Occurrence Tropical storms: storms if strong enough can cause wind to change direction and start event Heat from sea floor: warming by sea floor volcanoes

Warm water expands sea levels and prevents Plankton from being produced which is essential to food webs. Teleconnections are the knock-off effects of the El Nino, worldwide. La Nina is the appearance of colder than average sea surface temperatures in Central and East Equatorial Pacific. (Reverse of El Nino, exaggeration of normal patterns) Unusually high air pressure over East and low over West. Strong warm waters towards West causing heavy rain and higher sea levels.