Simulation of cloud cover over Antarctica and South America during the 1997-1998 El Nino. Full description.

The climatic phenomenon known as El Nino can impact weather and climate around the globe. Occuring every four to twelve years, the phenomenon can cause die-offs of plankton and fish, and affect Pacific jet stream winds, altering storm tracks and creating unusual weather patterns around the world. This video segment uses satellite imagery to show how an El Nino occurs and details some the effects on ... Full description.

SeaWiFS Galapagos Island Zoom Showing phytoplankton concentrations before and during El Nino. There is lots of phytoplankton prior to El Ninos warm waters, but once the warm waters dominate the area, most of the phytoplankton disappear. Full description.

A comparison of the Pacific sea surface temperature anomaly during the El Nino of 1982-1983 with that of 1997, as measured by NOAA AVHRR Full description.

A comparison of the Pacific sea surface temperature anomaly during the El Nino of 1982-1983 with that of 1997-1998, as measured by NOAA AVHRR Full description.

A comparison of the Pacific sea surface temperature anomaly during the El Nino of 1982-1983 with that of 1997, as measured by NOAA AVHRR Full description.

A comparison of the Pacific sea surface temperature anomaly during the El Nino of 1982-1983 with that of 1997-1998, as measured by NOAA AVHRR. Full description.

A comparison of the Pacific sea surface temperature anomaly during the El Nino of 1982-1983 with that of 1997-1998, as measured by NOAA AVHRR Full description.

A comparison of the Pacific sea surface temperature anomaly during the El Nino of 1982-1983 with that of 1997-1998, as measured by NOAA AVHRR Full description.

Students can learn basic information about El Nino from this description, which makes use of data from the TOPEX/Poseidon mission. Links to related topics are included. Full description.