El Niño and La Niña Worksheet
Explore the phenomena of El Niño and La Niña, their causes, effects, and global impacts on weather patterns and ecosystems.
Includes
Standards
Topics
El Niño and La Niña: Global Weather Patterns
Name:
Date:
Score:
Read each question carefully and answer to the best of your ability. This worksheet will test your understanding of El Niño and La Niña phenomena.
1. Which of the following describes El Niño?
Unusually cold ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific.
Unusually warm ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific.
A strong westerly wind pattern across the Pacific.
A permanent ocean current in the Atlantic.
2. La Niña is often associated with:
Increased rainfall in the western Pacific and drier conditions in the eastern Pacific.
Warmer winters in Canada and the northern United States.
Weakened trade winds across the Pacific.
A decrease in hurricane activity in the Atlantic.
1. El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of a natural climate pattern called the .
2. During an El Niño event, the trade winds weaken, causing warm water to shift eastward across the Ocean.
3. La Niña typically brings cooler and wetter conditions to parts of the and drier conditions to the southern United States.
1. El Niño events can lead to increased rainfall and flooding in some areas, while causing droughts in others.
True
False
1. Briefly explain how El Niño affects marine life off the coast of South America.
2. Describe one significant difference in weather patterns between an El Niño year and a La Niña year in a specific region of the world.
Match the term on the left with its description on the right.
1. Trade Winds
a. The reversal of ocean temperature patterns in the Pacific.
2. Upwelling
b. Strong, consistent winds that blow from east to west.
3. ENSO
c. The rising of cold, nutrient-rich water from the ocean depths.