Consider the following statements with respect to “La Nina”:
- During La Nina Year, the waters in the eastern pacific ocean are colder than normal.
- La Nina brings heavy rains to Peru and Ecuador regions.
Which of the above statements is/are correct? Select the correct answer from options given below-
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation:
- El Nino and La Nina are climate patterns of opposite phases which together forms the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
El Nino:
- The phenomenon El Nino is also known as the “little boy” or “Christ Child” in Spanish.
- In the El Nino year, the ocean water in the eastern pacific will be warmer than normal.
- Air pressure drops over large areas of the central Pacific and along the coast of South America.
- The normal low pressure system is replaced by a weak high in the western Pacific.
- This change in pressure pattern causes the trade winds to be reduced.
- And this reduction allows the equatorial counter current (current along doldrums) to accumulate warm ocean water along the coastlines of Peru and Ecuador.
- Upwelling along the coasts of Peru reduces and there is huge amounts of rainfall in the Peru and Ecuador regions with reduced rainfall over Australia and India.
La Nina:
- The word La Nina means ‘little girl’ in Spanish and is also known as El Viejo or ‘cold event’.
- In the La Nina phase, the water temperature in the Eastern Pacific gets colder than normal. As a result of this, there is a strong high pressure over the eastern equatorial Pacific.
- La Nina causes drought in Peru and Ecuador, heavy floods in Australia and good monsoon rains in India.
- So, during La Nina year, the ocean water in the eastern pacific region will be colder than normal. Hence, Statement 1 is Correct.
- La Nina brings drought conditions to the Peru and Ecuador regions. It brings heavy rainfall to Australia and good monsoons to India. Hence, Statement 2 is Incorrect.
Therefore, Option (a)-1 Only is the Correct Answer.
