The Ocean-Atmospheric Interface
Watch the video titled “Ocean Temperatures – Changing Planet” (6 min 4 sec) under The Ocean terms section of the Science Corner. You can also view the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WyD2aiqP_s. Next, describe one (1) way that scientists use the ocean to monitor climate change. Then, examine the overall impact of a warmer ocean on the climate.
Watch the video titled “How Climate Change Makes Intense Hurricanes” (3 min 8 sec) under the Climate Change terms section of the Science Corner. You can also view the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4ZCQHvRg2k. Next, describe the overall manner in which climate change affects hurricanes, storms, and sea level. Then, explain the overall physical impact that this change will have on coastal communities.
The weather condition known as El Niño is described on page 677 of your book. After reading this section, describe the major interactions between the atmosphere and the surface ocean water in the equatorial Pacific Ocean under “normal” conditions. Next, describe the changes that occur in both the atmosphere and the underlying ocean during an El Niño event. (Note: Be sure to include the changes of atmospheric convection, warm surface ocean water, and the cold deep ocean water in your description. List a specific region that is impacted negatively by an El Niño event.)