A new type of El Nino called El Nino Modoki appeared in the news. In this context, consider the following statements: 1. Normal El Nino forms in the Central Pacific ocean whereas El Nino Modoki forms in Eastern Pacific ocean. 2. Normal El Nino results in diminished hurricanes in the Atlantic ocean but El Nino Modoki results in a greater number of hurricanes with greater frequency. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A1 only
- B2 onlyCorrect
- CBoth 1 and 2
- DNeither 1 nor 2
Explanation
The correct answer is B because of the following reasons:
Statement 1 is incorrect because it reverses the locations. A normal El Nino is characterized by maximum warming in the Eastern Pacific Ocean near the coast of South America. In contrast, El Nino Modoki is characterized by warming in the Central Pacific, flanked by colder waters to the east and west.
Statement 2 is correct because the two phenomena have different impacts on atmospheric circulation. While a normal El Nino typically creates strong vertical wind shear that suppresses hurricane formation in the Atlantic, El Nino Modoki creates atmospheric conditions that are more conducive to the development of a greater number of Atlantic hurricanes with higher frequency.
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