What is the name of the cold phase of the ENSO climate pattern that describes the unusual cooling of the surface waters of the region?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 4 i.e. La Nina
The cold phase of the ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) climate pattern, which describes the unusual cooling of the surface waters in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, is known as La Niña.
It is essentially the opposite of El Niño, which is the warm phase. During La Niña, trade winds are stronger, pushing more warm water towards Asia and allowing cold, nutrient-rich water to well up off the west coast of the Americas. This shift in ocean temperatures significantly influences global weather patterns, often leading to different impacts than El Niño, such as increased rainfall in some regions and drought in others.