| Caption: |
Idealized diagram contrasting (a) normal conditions and processes in the equatorial Pacific Ocean with (b) those of El Niņo. Under normal conditions, winds blow warm surface water in the Pacific Ocean west toward Indonesia. This water movement allows colder ocean water to rise, or upwell, along the northwestern coast of South America and reduces rainfall close to South America. Under El Niņo, winds blow the warm water east toward South America, the upwelling of colder water is suppressed, and rainfall increases in the Americas. (Modified after National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/ PMEL/TAO at http://www.elnino.noaa.gov/.) |
| Keywords: |
atmosphere, climates, climatology, trade winds, oceans, surface currents, equatorial currents, Peruvian current, El Nino, Southern Oscillation |
