El Nino

by Arnold, Caroline

• ISBN13: 9780618551101
• ISBN10: 0618551107
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-05-23
• Publisher: Sandpiper

Summary

When the weather becomes extreme or even unseasonal, "El Nino" is usually the phrase we hear. Every three to seven years, El Nino disrupts weather all over the globe, second only to the change of seasons in its influence on the climate. But what is El Nino? El Nino is the name given to the unusual increase in ocean temperatures along the Peruvian and the Ecuadorian coasts that is part of a larger pattern of changes in wind and weather throughout the world. With El Nino come violent storms and upsets in global food chain that dramatically affect both humans and wildlife. Effects can be as gentle as a mild winter in northeastern United States or as violent as drought in Southeast Asia, brutal storms in South America, and wildfires in Australia. With the help of carefully selected photographs and clarifying charts and maps, Caroline Arnold makes clear how this remarkable weather pattern forms, how scientists track it, what its effects are, and why following its path is of such importance.

Author Biography

Caroline Arnold always loved books, but as a child she never thought of writing as a career. Born in Pittsburgh, she grew up in Minneapolis and studied art at Grinnell College and the University of Iowa. "It was only after my children were born that I became acquainted with children's books and it occurred to me that I could use my training to become a children's book illustrator. I soon realized that I needed a text to go with the pictures, and the more I wrote, the more I realized that I liked writing as much as or more than drawing. I've always been fascinated by the natural world and love to go to the parks and museums. Perhaps that is why so many of my books are about scientific topics." Arnold is now the award-winning author of more than 100 books for children. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, a neuroscientist, and teaches writing at UCLA Extension. For more information visit www.carolinearnoldbooks.com.

Table of Contents

Wacky Weather	p. 5
What Is El Nino?	p. 8
Watching El Nino	p. 10
Ocean Warming	p. 12
Changing Winds	p. 14
The Southern Oscillation	p. 16
El Nino's "Twin"	p. 17
An Irregular Schedule	p. 18
El Nino and North America	p. 22
La Nina	p. 24
What Triggers El Nino?	p. 25
El Nino and Wildlife	p. 26
Sea Birds	p. 28
Coral Reefs	p. 30
Marine Iguanas	p. 32
Kelp Forests	p. 33
Sea Mammals	p. 34
Foxes	p. 36
The Disease Connection	p. 38
Past and Future	p. 40
El Nino and La Nina Since 1900	p. 45
For Further Reference	p. 45
Glossary	p. 46
Index	p. 47
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