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Home / IAS Preparation / El Nino La Nina

El-Nino and La Nina - Formation and Impact of El Nino, La Nina, and ENSO for UPSC!

Last Updated on Jan 23, 2024
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The El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) has a significant impact on climatic patterns throughout the globe. Because of its potential to alter global air circulation, ENSO is one of the most significant climate phenomena on the planet, influencing temperature and precipitation all around the world. The El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle is the name given to these events by scientists. Weather, wildfires, ecosystems, and economies may all be affected by El Nino and La Nina. El Nino and La Nina are two opposing climatic trends that deviate from the norm. Climate change has been linked to increasingly intense and frequent El Nino and La Nina occurrences, according to a growing body of evidence.

This topic is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS examination, which comes under General Studies Paper 2 of mains and General Studies Paper 1 (preliminary), particularly in the Indian Geography section.

In this article, we will understand the conditions of the formation of the El-Nino Southern Oscillation Phenomenon. Besides, we will also study the consequences of El-Nino and La-Nina on the Indian Monsoon. Examine major aspects of El-Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) from the perspective of UPSC Exams.

Know more about the Wind and Wind Types!

What is El Nino?
  • El Nino is a Spanish word that means “Little Boy” or “Christ Child.” In the 1600s, South American fisherman observed episodes of exceptionally warm water in the Pacific Ocean.
  • El Nino de Navidad was the full term they used because El Nino usually peaks in December.
  • El Nino may have a big impact on our weather. The Pacific jet stream is moving south of its neutral point due to the warmer seas.
  • The northern United States and Canada are drier and warmer than typical as a result of this change.
  • However, in the Gulf Coast and Southeast of the United States, these seasons have been wetter than typical, resulting in greater floods.

Formation of El Nino

  • In the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, there is a warming of the ocean surface, or above-average sea surface temperatures (SST).
  • Rainfall tends to decrease across Indonesia, whereas it rises over the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
  • Low-level surface winds, which typically blow from east to west near the equator, decrease or, in certain circumstances, reverse direction.
  • In general, the greater El Nino is, the warmer the ocean temperature anomalies are (and vice-versa).

Know more about the Temperature of the oceans!

Impact of El Nino

El Nino is a weather phenomenon that can have significant impacts on global weather patterns. Here are some of the effects of El Nino:

  • Some regions experience reduced rainfall, leading to drought conditions. This can have severe consequences for agriculture, water supply, and ecosystems.
  • Other areas may experience increased rainfall, resulting in floods and landslides. This can lead to property damage and loss of life.
  • El Nino can disrupt the oceanic food chain, affecting fish populations. This can have a negative impact on fishing industries and livelihoods dependent on fishing.
  • El Nino can cause increased temperatures in certain regions. This can affect ecosystems, wildlife, and human health, especially in areas with limited access to cooling systems.
  • Some areas may experience cooler temperatures due to altered wind patterns associated with El Nino. This can impact agricultural activities and crop yields.
  • El Nino can influence the formation and intensity of tropical cyclones. Some regions may experience fewer cyclones, while others may experience more intense storms. This can pose risks to coastal communities and infrastructure.
  • El Nino can affect weather patterns worldwide. This leads to changes in precipitation, temperature, and atmospheric circulation. This can have far-reaching consequences for agriculture, water resources, and natural ecosystems.

Know more about the Distribution of Temperature!

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What is La Nina?
  • In Spanish, La Nina translates to “Little Girl.” El Viejo, anti-El Nino, and simply “a chilly event” are all terms used to describe La Nina.
  • The impact of La Nina is the polar opposite of El Nino. A more severe hurricane season is also possible as a result of La Nina.
  • In the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, there is a cooling of the ocean surface, or below-average sea surface temperatures (SST).
  • Rainfall tends to rise across Indonesia, whereas it tends to decrease throughout the central and eastern tropical Pacific oceans.
  • Along the equator, the typical easterly winds grow much stronger.
  •  In general, the stronger La Nina is, the cooler the ocean temperature anomalies are (and vice-versa).

Formation of La Nina

  • Trade winds are greater than usual during La Nina occurrences, bringing more warm water toward Asia.
  • Off the west coast of the Americas, upwelling occurs, sending cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface.
  • The jet stream is being pushed northward by the chilly seas in the Pacific.
  • Droughts are common in the southern United States, whereas severe rainfall and flooding are common in the Pacific Northwest and Canada.
  • Winter temperatures in the South are warmer than average, while winter temperatures in the North are colder than typical during a La Nina year.

Know more about Atmospheric Pressure!

Impact of La Nina

La Nina, the opposite phase of El Nino, also has significant impacts on weather patterns. Here are some of the effects of La Nina:

  • La Nina is associated with above-average rainfall in certain regions. This can result in flooding, especially in areas prone to heavy precipitation.
  • La Nina can bring cooler temperatures to certain regions. This can affect agricultural activities, crop growth, and human comfort.
  • La Nina can influence the formation and track of tropical cyclones. It can lead to increased storm activity in some areas, potentially causing damage and disruptions.
  • La Nina can cause changes in oceanic conditions, such as cooler sea surface temperatures. This can impact marine ecosystems, including coral reefs and fisheries.
  • Like El Nino, La Nina can have global impacts on weather patterns. It can affect precipitation, temperature, and atmospheric circulation, influencing climate conditions in various regions.

Also, read Causes of Tsunami here for UPSC Geography Preparation.

What is ENSO?

The El-Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a periodic climatic phenomenon characterised by fluctuations in the temperature of tropical Pacific Ocean waters in the central and eastern hemispheres. Surface waters across a broad region of the tropical Pacific Ocean warm or cool by anywhere from 1°C to 3°C relative to normal over durations ranging from three to seven years.

Working of ENSO

  • This alternating warming and cooling trend have a direct impact on rainfall distribution in the tropics, as well as the weather in the United States and other areas of the world.
  • The ENSO cycle has two extreme phases: El Nino and La Nina, with a third phase dubbed ENSO-neutral in between.
  • El Nino and La Nina, two natural climatic phenomena that occur in the tropical Pacific Ocean, have an impact on weather patterns across the world.
  • A La Nina event causes the water in the eastern Pacific Ocean to be colder than usual, whereas an El Nino event produces warming or higher sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
  • ENSO, or El Nino-Southern Oscillation, is the name given to these two phenomena when they occur together.

Check the Other Notes of Geography for Competitive Exams here.

Impact of ENSO on the World

  • The dissolved oxygen concentration of seawater is reduced during a long-term ENSO event.
  • This encourages the creation of foul-smelling hydrogen sulphide and other gases, which blacken the “lead paint” on ships and cause other discolourations.
  • During El Nino, rain falls in unusually heavy amounts in some interior parts of South America, which are ordinarily dry.
  • The yields on the pastures and cotton fields in this area are well above average.
  • The cooling of the Pacific seas is related to La Nina. In a La Nina year, there is usually plenty of rain and temperatures are cooler than usual.
  • La Nina has caused drought in Peru and Ecuador, significant floods in Australia, high temperatures in the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and off the coast of Somalia, and proportionally higher monsoon rains in India.

Read the Article Pressure Belts of the Earth here!

Impact of ENSO on India

  • Weather and climatic patterns such as severe rainfall, floods, and drought are all influenced by ENSO. El Nino causes global temperatures to rise, and La Nina causes global temperatures to fall.
  • El Nino, for example, is linked to dryness and a poor monsoon in India, whereas La Nina is linked to a robust monsoon, above-average precipitation, and cooler winters.
  • El Nino, which is marked by an increase in Pacific Ocean surface temperatures, is linked to lower-than-normal monsoon rainfall in India.
  • El Nino disrupts the flow of moisture-bearing winds from colder waters towards India, wreaking havoc on the summer monsoon, which accounts for more than 70% of annual precipitation.
  • An El Nino of any severity can diminish monsoon rainfall and consequently have a big influence on the local economy.
  • Both the surface and deep ocean temperatures are rising, indicating that the mild El Nino will continue for at least the next several months.
  • The rainfall in Southeast Asia during the ‘La Nina Year’ is more than normal in northwestern India and Bangladesh in particular.
  • The Indian economy, which relies on the monsoon for agriculture and industries, benefits in general.
  • In India, it generally delivers colder winters than average. La Nina’s chilly air, which is connected with this north-south trough, tends to spread further south towards India.

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El Nino and La Nina FAQs

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a recurring climate pattern involving changes in the temperature of waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

The three phases of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) are The neutral phase, El Niño, La Niña.

El Niño is an abnormal weather pattern caused by the warming of the Pacific Ocean near the equator, off the coast of South America. The sun warms the water near the equator, which can make more clouds and, therefore, more rain.

El Niño refers to the above-average sea-surface temperatures that periodically develop across the east-central equatorial Pacific. It represents the warm phase of the ENSO cycle. La Niña refers to the periodic cooling of sea-surface temperatures across the east-central equatorial Pacific.
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