Global Ocean Patterns
El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is an irregular climate pattern involving changes in winds and sea temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean. During El Niño, the Central Pacific receives more rainfall while the Western Pacific becomes relatively dry. Meanwhile, La Niña is the opposite pattern - a periodic cooling of ocean surface temperatures in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific.
These Pacific patterns affect weather worldwide! In the Atlantic Ocean, ENSO events typically cause more hurricanes. Understanding these patterns helps predict weather globally.
Our oceans feature five main circular current systems called ocean gyres: the North Atlantic Gyre, South Atlantic Gyre, North Pacific Gyre, South Pacific Gyre, and Indian Ocean Gyre. These massive current systems help distribute heat around our planet.
Upwelling and downwelling are vertical water movements that impact marine life. During upwelling, deeper water rises to replace diverging surface water, bringing nutrients to the surface. Downwelling occurs when surface water is forced downward, delivering oxygen to deeper waters.
Science Connection: Ocean gyres are why plastic pollution concentrates in specific ocean regions, forming "garbage patches" where currents converge!