El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a coupled ocean–atmosphere phenomenon centered in the tropical Pacific, characterized by quasi-periodic fluctuations between warm (El Niño), cold (La Niña), and neutral phases. It arises from interactions between equatorial Pacific sea surface temperature anomalies, changes in thermocline depth, and variations in trade winds and the Walker circulation. ENSO modulates global atmospheric circulation, influencing precipitation patterns, temperature anomalies, and extreme weather frequency worldwide. It is a primary source of interannual climate variability and is represented and predicted in climate models using indices such as Niño 3.4 and the Southern Oscillation Index, with substantial implications for seasonal forecasting and climate impact assessments.
Frightening headlines predicting a Super El Niño or even a Godzilla El Niño amp up anxiety levels for farmers and residents of bushfire-prone regions.
Environment
Apr 11, 2026
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March's persistent unseasonable heat was so intense that the continental United States registered its most abnormally hot month in 132 years of records, according to federal weather data. And the next year or so looks to ...
Environment
Apr 9, 2026
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Across much of the Rocky Mountain West, a winter of record-breaking high temperatures and historically low snowfall has forced people to think about having less water this spring. But it could also mean more severe wildfires ...
Environment
Mar 25, 2026
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The amount of heat trapped by Earth reached record levels in 2025, with the consequences of such warming feared to last for thousands of years, the UN warned Monday.
Environment
Mar 23, 2026
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For over three decades, satellites orbiting Earth have measured the height of the ocean surface with remarkable precision. These measurements are crucial because changes in ocean height are one of the clearest indicators ...
Environment
Mar 22, 2026
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The Miocene, beginning approximately 23 million years ago, represents a canonical "warm-Earth" interval characterized by elevated atmospheric CO2 and a warmer global climate. The El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), as a ...
Earth Sciences
Mar 13, 2026
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Global warming has accelerated since 2015, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK). After accounting for known natural influences on global temperature, the research team detected ...
Earth Sciences
Mar 6, 2026
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The growth form of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) is composed of shoots known as stipes instead of branches. From one parent holding fast to the hard bottom might come as many as 150 stipes. Typically, the tips of the ...
Plants & Animals
Mar 5, 2026
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The past three years have been the world's hottest on record by far, with 2025 almost tied with 2023 for second place. With that energy came extreme weather, from flash flooding to powerful hurricanes and severe droughts. ...
Environment
Mar 5, 2026
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The warming El Niño weather phenomenon could form later this year, potentially pushing global temperatures to record heights.
Environment
Mar 2, 2026
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