SCIENCE+IMAGES

SCIENCE IMAGES

Exosphere

Atmosphere



THE NEXT FIVE IMAGES ARE FROM THE SUPERSTORM OF MARCH 1993
















 * Hydrosphere and Atmosphere **
 * El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) **








 * How upwelling of deeper, nutrient-rich waters works **




 * The thermocline - layer beneath ocean surface where water temperature **
 * drops quickly with depth **




 * Normal December sea surface temperatures in equatorial Pacific **




 * Normal (non El Nino) conditions in equatorial Pacific **




 * Normal (non El Nino conditions) - Trade winds drag surface water **
 * westward allowing for cold water upwelling off the west coast **
 * of South America **




 * El Nino conditions alter thermocline. Weakens off west coast of **
 * South America (eastern Pacific) and strengthens in western Pacific **
 * (Tahiti, Phillipines, Australia, etc) **




 * Normal (non El Nino) shows low pressure, clouds and rain **
 * over western Pacific and high pressure drier conditions off the **
 * west coast of South America. Upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich waters **
 * is substantial off coast of Peru and Ecuador and fishing industry thrives. **




 * El Nino event - Low pressure off coast of Peru causes rain. **
 * Ocean waters warm. Nutrient content of waters is low. **
 * Fishing industry suffers. **




 * Historic El Nino event in 1982-1983 **




 * Jetstream in "normal" (non el nino) winter **




 * Normal conditions in equatorial Pacific **




 * Jetstream during El Nino winter **
 * Notice the strong ridge over the western states. **
 * What is the significance?? **




 * El Nino conditions in equatorial Pacific **




 * Animation shows warming of eastern Pacific waters due to El Nino event **

How does an El Nino event impact other locations on Earth??
 * Drought in Southern Africa, Southern India, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, Southern Peru, Western Bolivia, Mexico, Central America ||
 * ~  || Heavy rain and flooding in Bolivia, Ecuador, Northern Peru, Cuba, U.S. Gulf States ||
 * ~  || Hurricanes in Tahiti, Hawaii ||


 * Hydrosphere **






 * thermohaline circulation **


 * Lithosphere **