Philippine Science High School

Earth Science Learning Guide

Guide Code: 12 Oceans​ ​and​ ​ENSO
Lesson Code: 12.2 El Niño Southern Oscillation Time Limit 30 min

When you hear the words La Niña and El Niño, what first comes to mind? Have you had any recent
experience of these phenomena?

El Niño Southern Oscillation or ENSO refers to oscillations or periodic shifts of atmospheric

circulations and ocean currents occurring in the Pacific Ocean every 3-4 years. Named after “the
Christ child” (El Niño), residents in coastal Peru first observed that in some years, the amount of fish
that they get decreases during December. This was attributed to the warmer than normal waters off the
South American coast extending westward. These warmer than normal waters translate into more
precipitation in that area, an example of an atmospheric change. The term “Southern Oscillation”
pertains to the change in the atmospheric circulation which accompanies El Niño and La Niña
conditions.

The ENSO system’s main drivers are the large pool of warm surface waters that move back
and forth from the eastern and western sides of the Pacific (Note: Philippines is on the western side of
the Pacific). Under normal conditions (neutral phase), trade winds blowing from east to west push
warm surface waters towards the western Pacific, and as this warm surface water transfers heat to the

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air above it, the air rises, forms thunderstorms, and travels back to the eastern part of the Pacific (see
Figure 2). Upwelling of cool waters, which contain nutrients, occur at the eastern Pacific occurs
during this time.

During an El Niño phase, there is an observed weakening of the trade winds that moves warm
surface water from the east towards the western part of the Pacific. Also, during this period, there is a
suppression of the thermocline, an area which marks the transition zone between the warm and cold
waters in the Pacific, which affects the upwelling of cold waters. Based on Figure 3, during an El
Niño phenomenon, precipitation is experienced in the central and eastern part of the Pacific, while the
western portion experiences drought. Table 1.0 summarizes the drought period associated with El
Niño in the Philippines from 1968-1998.

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 On the other hand, during a La Niña phase, there is an intensification of the flow of warm
waters from the east towards the western Pacific. As observed in Figure 4, during La Niña, the
equatorial thermocline is very shallow as compared to normal conditions, this results in a large
upwelling of cold waters towards the surface. This phenomenon is usually associated with heavy rains
and flooding in the countries situated in the western portion of the Pacific, whereas those that reside in
the eastern Pacific experience drought.

The El Niño Southern Oscillation not only affects climate and heat distribution in the Pacific,
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 but it also affects food security, water distribution, and energy generation.

Check Your Understanding (GRADED, 10 Points)

To test your understanding of the topic, complete the details of the table below:

EL NIÑO LA NIÑA
Precipitation* (indicate whether High or Low)

Thermocline (indicate whether Deep or Shallow)

Drought* (mark check ​✓​ or X

​ ​)

Flooding* (mark check ​✓​ or ​X​)

Weakening effect of the trade winds

*as experienced in the Philippines

● El Niño Southern Oscillation or ENSO refers to oscillations or periodic shifts of

atmospheric circulations and ocean currents occurring in the Pacific Ocean that
occurs every 3-4 years.
● The Philippines is found in the western Pacific.
● El Niño is associated with suppression of the upwelling of cold waters due to the
deepening of the thermocline, which eventually results in intense precipitation in the
central and eastern Pacific, and drought in the western Pacific.
● La Niña is associated with a shallow thermocline and intensification of the transfer of
warm waters from the east to west of the Pacific. This is associated with frequent
heavy rains in the western Pacific, and drought in the eastern Pacific.
● ENSO affects climate, heat distribution, energy and water production, and food
security.

References:

Albarico, J.M. (2013). ​THINK Framework.​ Based on Ramos, E.G. and N. Apolinario (n.d.) Science
LINKS. Quezon City: Rex Bookstore Inc

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Cunningham, C. (2020). ​ISE Environmental Science​ (14th edition). McGraw-Hill Education.
What is ENSO?​ (n.d.). IRI. https://iridl.ldeo.columbia.edu/maproom/ENSO/ENSO_Info.html

Prepared by: Alan Royce B. Tizon Reviewed by: Edman H. Gallamaso

Position: SST I Position: SST V
Campus: SMC Campus: SRC

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