Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Integrated Science (024) Practice Exam

What is the main result of the El Nino Effect?

1. A warm current created by a rise in surface water temperature

2. Cooler temperatures and dry conditions

3. Increased air pressure in the Atlantic Ocean

4. Consistent trade winds

The correct answer is: A warm current created by a rise in surface water temperature

The main result of the El Niño Effect is indeed a warm current created by a rise in surface water temperature. El Niño is characterized by the periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which significantly impacts weather patterns globally. This warming disrupts normal oceanic and atmospheric circulation, leading to a variety of climatic changes. For instance, as the sea surface temperature rises, it affects the trade winds, often causing them to weaken. This change in wind patterns can lead to increased precipitation in some areas, such as the western coast of South America, and drier conditions in others, like Australia and Southeast Asia. The phenomenon can result in extreme weather events, including heavy rains and floods in some regions, while sparking droughts in others, further highlighting how the warm current directly drives these shifts rather than the cooler or stable conditions suggested by other options in the question.