Sometimes, the surface of the Pacific Ocean warms up, causing changes in the weather in some areas. This phenomenon is called El Niño. El Niño causes the amount of rainfall in some parts of the United States and South America to increase. It also causes droughts to occur in Southeast Asia and Australia. Droughts occur when an area receives less rain than it normally does over a certain period.

Question

Explain how Earth’s spheres may be affected by the droughts brought on by El Niño. keep it short

Answer 1

El Niño-induced droughts can have significant impacts across Earth's spheres:

1. Atmosphere: Reduced rainfall leads to drier air and altered weather patterns, increasing temperatures and affecting humidity levels.

2. Hydrosphere: Droughts reduce water availability in rivers, lakes, and aquifers, impacting ecosystems and water supply for human use.

3. Lithosphere: Soil moisture decreases, leading to land degradation, increased erosion, and reduced agricultural productivity, affecting food supply.

4. Biosphere: Plant and animal species may struggle to survive due to lack of water, which can disrupt ecosystems and food chains, potentially leading to species decline or extinction.

Overall, droughts from El Niño can create a cascade of effects that disrupt the balance of Earth's interconnected systems.