el nino refers to what?

Question

anonymous · Answer

A warming of the ocean surface off the western coast of South America that occurs every 4 to 12 years when upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water does not occur. It causes die-offs of plankton and fish and affects Pacific jet stream winds, altering storm tracks and creating unusual weather patterns in various parts of the world. Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/el-ni-o#ixzz2Nc9HdUNe

anonymous · Answer

El Nino southern oscillation is a proccess where by warm pools of water shift east . this is caused by the Westerly trade winds which take away cool precipitation from the pacific ocean in the west and hence making it hot. the link below gives you a better picture http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/webprojects2002/yung/mechanisms.htm