Every few years, the surface waters along the equator in the Pacific Ocean become uncommonly warm. This event is known as El Niño. El Niño can cause changes in regions that are very far away from the Pacific Ocean. It can increase air pressure over the Indian Ocean and can cause increased rainfall in places like the deserts of Peru.

Question

Which of Earth's spheres are interacting when this happens?
A.
the biosphere and the hydrosphere
B.
the hydrosphere and the atmosphere
C.
the atmosphere and the geosphere
D.
the geosphere and the biosphere

Answer 1

The correct answer is B. the hydrosphere and the atmosphere.

El Niño is a climate phenomenon that primarily involves the interaction between the ocean (hydrosphere) and the atmosphere. The warming of the Pacific Ocean surface waters affects atmospheric circulation patterns, leading to changes in weather and climate in various regions around the world.