El Niño & La Niña

1. What is El Niño?

El Niño is an unusual phenomenon in that the surface water temperature increase in the

eastern tropical Pacifific Ocean around Christmas. (Also brings a lot of rains)

2. Do scientists know what is causing El Niño?

Yes. Usually, the trade wind is blow from east to west, pushing the warm surface water to

the west. However, sometimes the trade wind is weakened, and the westward trade wind

pushes warm surface water back to the eastern Pacifific Ocean. Sometimes, EI Nino can last

for years.

3. Why is El Niño an interpretation of the “the Christ Child”?

EL Nino means “ the Christ Child” in Spanish. This is because a long time ago, the ancient

Indians who lived along the coast of Peru and Ecuador payed close attention to the

relationship between the sea and the weather. They found that around Christmas, the sea

surface was unusually warm than usual, and soon, it would rain heavily. The ancient Indians

then called this abnormal warm seawater “ the Christ Child” (religious), that is, “El Niño”.

4. How often does El Niño occur?

El Niños occurs every 2 to12years.

5. Describe upwelling and its importance:

Upwelling is the deep, cold water that rises to the sea surface, and it brings many nutrients

to the sea surface. Upwelling can bring tons of nutrients that provide food for marine

organisms to the sea surface, and it helps to form many fifishing grounds for humans.

Upwelling helps it’s crucial to ocean circulation and distribution of heat.

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