El Niño: A Geographical Phenomenon

El Niño is a complex climatic event characterized by the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. This phenomenon significantly impacts global weather patterns, particularly affecting countries along the Pacific Ocean.

Causes and Mechanism:

Trade Winds: El Niño occurs when the trade winds, which usually blow from east to west, weaken or reverse direction. This change allows warm water from the western Pacific to flow eastward.
Sea Surface Temperature: The abnormal warming of the ocean surface disrupts the typical ocean-atmosphere interaction, leading to a cascade of climatic changes.
Global Impacts:

Weather Patterns: El Niño often leads to extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rainfall and flooding in some regions, and severe droughts in others. For instance, it can cause wetter conditions in the southern United States and Peru, while inducing droughts in Australia and Indonesia.
Agriculture and Fisheries: The phenomenon adversely affects agriculture and fisheries. Warmer ocean temperatures can lead to reduced fish catches, while altered rainfall patterns can impact crop yields.
Impact on India:

Monsoon: In India, El Niño is often associated with weaker monsoon rains, which can lead to droughts and negatively impact agriculture, affecting the country's food security and economy.
Understanding El Niño is crucial for UPSC aspirants, as it plays a significant role in global climatic variations and has profound socio-economic implications.

Keywords: El Niño, climatic event, sea surface temperature, trade winds, weather patterns, agriculture, fisheries, monsoon, India, global impacts, UPSC geography.

свернуть