GG140: The Atmosphere, The Ocean, and Environmental Change
Lecture 23 - El Nino. The El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon is the primary mode of variability in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. It is composed of two extreme states, El Nino and La Nina. The oscillation between these states can be seen in measurements of sea surface temperature (SST), sea level pressure, thermocline depth, and easterly trade wind strength. Changes in SST and pressure lead to shifting of convective activity across the equatorial Pacific. Changes in the strength of the easterly trade winds lead to changes in the depth of the thermocline, which affect coastal upwelling offshore of South America. If upwelling is reduced, primary productivity is reduced. The effect of ENSO on convection and coastal upwelling makes it an important factor for both agriculture and fishing industries. (from oyc.yale.edu)
| Lecture 23 - El Nino |
| Time | Lecture Chapters |
| [00:00:00] | 1. El Nino and La Nina |
| [00:10:08] | 2. Terminology |
| [00:11:33] | 3. Symptoms of El Nino |
| [00:18:54] | 4. ENSO Indices and Ocean Water Property Measurements |
| [00:24:40] | 5. Current ENSO Data |
| [00:39:45] | 6. Ice in the Climate System |
| [00:42:39] | 7. Physical Properties of Ice |
| References |
| Lecture 23 - El Nino Instructor: Professor Ronald B Smith. Resources: Credit List [PDF]. Transcript [html]. Audio [mp3]. Download Video [mov]. |
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