SSC
WORLD GEOGRAPHY
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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the warming of the waters off the west coast of South America
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melting ice in the Arctic
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battering rains in the Americas
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the shifting of winds off the southern coast of Asia
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Detailed explanation-1: -During an El Niño event, westward-blowing trade winds weaken along the Equator. These changes in air pressure and wind speed cause warm surface water to move eastward along the Equator, from the western Pacific to the coast of northern South America.
Detailed explanation-2: -“During an El Niño year, weakening winds along the equator lead to warming water surface temperatures that lead to further weakening of the winds.” The image below shows the dominant direction of the winds and changes in their intensity near the ocean surface as observed by NASA’s RapidScat instrument.
Detailed explanation-3: -Rainfall increases on the coasts of Ecuador, the northern part of Peru, and southern zones of Chile. In Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia there will be drought in the mountainous and Andean zones, implying retreat of glaciers with subsequent changes in the availability of water and in local biodiversity.
Detailed explanation-4: -During El Niño years, air currents move eastwards across the Pacific, bringing moist air to South America and the eastern Pacific. The Californian coast is also affected by this current, which brings torrential rains that often causes flooding and landslides.