The record of El Nino
El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a phenomenon of the atmosphere and ocean that is observed in many different climate records. Growth rings in corals record the intensity of an ENSO event, as do the annual layers of ice and snow in the Andes. These records of precipitation, sea surface temperature, and air temperature are supplemented by data from ships’ logs, satellites, and weather buoys. Analysis of all these records produces a history of ENSO events that extends back into the 1800s.
Topic: Earth Science
Subtopic: Climate/Climate Change
Audience: General