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Chapter 18: Problem 5

What is the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation? How does it work? What are the impacts of the El Niño/ La Niña Southern Oscillation (ENSO)?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a system of ocean currents that carry warm water from the tropics northwards in the Atlantic, while the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a temperature oscillation in the Pacific Ocean which impacts global climate patterns. The effects of these phenomena include influencing rainfall, temperatures, and severe weather events across the globe.

Step by step solution

01

Define the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is a large system of ocean currents that carry warm water from the tropics northwards in the Atlantic. It is a component of the Earth's ocean current system which includes both surface currents driven mainly by the wind and deeper water flows driven by differences of density of the sea water.
02

Explain how AMOC works

The AMOC operates as a conveyor belt system of ocean currents, circulating warm, salty water from the surface of the Atlantic to the north and cold deep water back towards the south. This is driven by differences in water temperature and salinity. When the warm salty water reaches the North Atlantic, it becomes colder and denser and hence, sinks to the depths. This water is then carried along deep ocean currents back towards the south.
03

Define El Niño/La Niña Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

El Niño and La Niña, collectively known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), are climate patterns that occur in the Pacific Ocean. These represent the warmer (El Niño) and cooler (La Niña) phases.
04

Impacts of the ENSO

El Niño and La Niña have major impacts on global weather and climate. El Niño can cause high rainfall and flooding in the eastern Pacific region and drought in the western Pacific, along with warmer global temperatures. Conversely, La Niña typically results in cooler global temperatures, with increased rainfall in the western Pacific bringing potential for flooding, and drier conditions in the eastern Pacific.

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