El Niño is a weather phenomenon which happens when the strong ocean winds decrease and the temperature of the ocean becomes unsually warm.

Its effects:

- cause floods in some countries (such as Peru and Ecuador)

- cause dry conditions, forest fires and drought in others (south-east Asia and Australia)

- cause typhoons and hurricanes

- affect marine ecosystems because the warm water is poor in nutrients and cannot sustain big fish populations.

- cause problems for the Pacific fishing industry



True or False? Write T or F. Correct the false sentences.

1. F

ENSO occurs in the Mediterranean. → ENSO occurs in the Pacific ocean.

(One theory is that strong Pacific winds create a big area of warm water in the west. If the winds suddenly disappear, the warm water quickly moves to the east and causes El Niño.)

2. F

ENSO happens when the ocean temperature becomes unusually cold.  → ENSO happens when the ocean temperature becomes unusually warm.

(El Niño happens when the strong ocean winds decrease and the temperature of the ocean becomes unusually warm.)

3. F

ENSO lasts between 2 and 7 years. → ENSO lasts between 9 months and 2 years.

(El Niño has occurred for at least the last 300 years, and it lasts between 9 months and 2 years.)

4. T

Volcanic activity is a possible cause of El Nino.

(Another theory is that volcanic activity in the tropics causes it.)

5. F

El Nino only affects the weather in the Pacific. → El Nino only affects the weather around the world.

(El Niño has a big impact on the Pacific region and affects weather all over the world.)

6. T

ENSO is problematic for Pacific fish populations.

( El Niño also affects marine ecosystems because the warm water is poor in nutrients and cannot sustain big fish populations.)