Earth  ID: 12242

El Niño Evolution

Every two to seven years, an unusually warm pool of water—sometimes two to three degrees Celsius higher than normal—develops across the eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. This warm condition, known as El Niño, can disrupt marine ecosystems and spur extreme weather patterns around the world. To predict when an El Niño is coming, NASA scientists use computer models that simulate ocean temperatures in the Pacific. During an El Niño, changes in ocean temperatures are typically observed on the sea surface and up to 1,000 feet deep. With inputs from ocean buoys, satellite data and other sources, the models show what ocean temperatures might look like months into the future. The information not only helps scientists estimate the strength of an El Niño, but also study its evolution. Watch the video to learn more.
 

Source Material


Story Credits

Lead Visualizer/Animator:
Lori Perkins (NASA/GSFC)

Video Editor:
Sophia Roberts (USRA)

Interviewee:
Robin Kovach (SSAI)

Producers:
Kayvon Sharghi (USRA)
Sophia Roberts (USRA)

Scientists:
Robin Kovach (SSAI)
Steven Pawson (NASA/GSFC)

Videographers:
Rob Andreoli (Advocates in Manpower Management, Inc.)
John Caldwell (Advocates in Manpower Management, Inc.)

Lead Writer:
NASA Viz Team

Writers:
Kasha Patel (Wyle Information Systems)
Kate Ramsayer (Telophase)
Ellen T. Gray (ADNET Systems, Inc.)

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
Cover image courtesy of NASA

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https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/12242

Keywords:
SVS >> App
NASA Science >> Earth