El Niño and La Niña Worksheet
Explore the phenomena of El Niño and La Niña, understanding their causes, characteristics, and global impacts on weather patterns and ecosystems.
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El Niño and La Niña: Global Climate Patterns
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Read each question carefully and provide your best answer. Some questions may require critical thinking and application of your knowledge about El Niño and La Niña.
1. What phenomenon is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific Ocean?
La Niña
El Niño
Monsoon
Hurricane
2. Which of the following is typically associated with La Niña conditions?
Increased rainfall in the western Pacific
Warmer winters in Canada
Drought in Australia
Weakening of trade winds
1. El Niño and La Niña are phases of a larger climate pattern called ENSO.
True
False
2. During an El Niño event, the trade winds become stronger than usual.
True
False
1. El Niño often leads to drier conditions in and wetter conditions in the southern United States.
2. During La Niña, the waters in the eastern equatorial Pacific are unusually .
1. Briefly explain how El Niño affects global weather patterns.
2. Describe one significant impact of La Niña on marine ecosystems.
Match each term with its correct description.
1. El Niño
a. Cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific
2. La Niña
b. Warming of ocean surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific
3. Trade Winds
c. Winds that blow from east to west near the equator