What is the purpose of the source, review article, original research? What topics are covered? What is the format or type of source? How reliable is the information in the article, and how credible is the source and the author(s)?

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Assignment 1: The Annotated Bibliography – Due Week 3

Project Overview:
This is part of a 3-PART SERIES OF ASSIGNMENTS on the SAME topic. Assignment #1 – the Bibliography (submitted Week 3). Assignment #2 – the Outline – is due Week 5. Assignment #3 – the Final Presentation – is due Week 7. You’re building this project throughout all three Assignments, using the same or similar topic.
For this project, you’ll choose a topic and then research how four geographic concepts are related to and affect your topic. Instead of presenting your research as a traditional paper, you’ll use PowerPoint to create a narrated presentation. Your presentation will be structured like a paper, including a title, introduction to the topic, main body, summary and conclusions, and references. Creative use of properly cited graphics and photos from the Internet relevant to your topic is required.

First, choose a topic! Topics must be a food item, cuisine, invention, or idea with a SUPER CLEAR REGION OF ORIGIN. Do some investigation of the 4 required elements (see below) before you settle on one topic. If you’re not sure if your desired topic is appropriate, please feel free to ask!
Your topic must be analyzed through these 4 required elements to determine how each of these geographic concepts affects or is related to your topic:

  • 1. Regions
  • 2. Cultural Landscape
  • 3. Diffusion
  • 4. Distance decay.

The first two concepts are covered in the first chapter of your textbook. Diffusion is covered in Chapter 8, Section 2 (page 484). Distance decay refers to the fact that influence and interaction between locations decreases as the distance between them increases. As such, it has a significant influence on how things change as they diffuse away from their point of origin. Be sure to address these specific geographic terms and concepts in your work. You don’t need to address them in this order, but you do need to address all of them. You may use ”subsets” of these definitions (e.g., contagious diffusion) if such subsets exist. Be sure to refer to your text and other reliable resources to ensure you completely understand these concepts. You should be detailed in your treatment of these concepts – for instance, you should explain both how and why your choice varies by region, and how and why it has been affected by distance decay. Remember that geography, as an academic discipline, seeks to explain why things vary from place to place, not just describe how they do.

FOR ASSIGNMENT #1, you will complete your annotated bibliography. Completing the project in separate assignments allows you to work your way up to the final presentation and provides opportunity for feedback along the way.

Assignment Objective: Assess sources for your research for your final presentation (for credibility, reliability, and relevance) and list references in proper APA format through the creation of an annotated bibliography.

Assignment Instructions: An annotation is a summary and evaluation, and your annotated bibliography will include a summary and evaluation of some of the sources (or references) you will use for your presentation.

To prepare for this assignment, I recommend that you do the following:

Read these directions carefully.
Review the sample annotated bibliography provided to you below.
Read the grading criteria below. The grading criteria is a detailed evaluation that I will use to assess your performance. It also will help you understand what is expected of you as you prepare your assignment.

Email me with any questions!
The reason the annotated bibliography is included as part of the research project is that writing an annotated bibliography provides excellent preparation for the final presentation. One of the issues regarding any type of research is the credibility of the sources used, particularly those obtained from various websites. By evaluating your potential sources carefully, the annotated bibliography helps you determine if the sources you chose are credible and relevant to your topic. It will also help you understand the topic better, which will help you develop your presentation.

For this project, you will assess three sources to include:

a complete citation for each source,
a summary of each source, and
an evaluation of each source.

Three sources are required for this assignment (i.e., you are to write an annotation for each source). However, you must use five or more sources in Assignment #2 and 3.

Use the TEMPLATE below to summarize and evaluate each of your three sources.

Citation:
Written in APA reference list format. For more help with formatting, see APA handout.

Summary:
What is the purpose of the source, review article, original research? What topics are covered? This section is generally 3-5 sentences that summarize the author’s main point. For more help, see this link on paraphrasing sources.

Evaluation:
After summarizing the article (or research paper or book), it is necessary to evaluate it and state where you found it – its source (e.g., journal, website, etc.). Briefly answer the following questions in 3-5 sentences:

What is the format or type of source (e.g., peer-reviewed journal paper, website, book)? How reliable is the information in the article, and how credible is the source (e.g., website’s sponsoring organization, journal or book publisher) and the author(s)?

Discuss the differences between the internal energy and external energy of the Earth. What are examples of the effects these energy sources produce? Explain the possible combinations of plate types that may be present in a convergent boundary setting and describe the major features of these combinations.

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DISCUSSION QUESTION

Chapter 1

  1. Explain how a recurrence interval for a natural disaster may be misleading.
  2. Explain ways in which media reporting may underemphasize the impact of a natural disaster.
  3. Explain how the impacts of a natural disaster may be enhanced in a less-wealthy community as compared to a wealthy community.
  4. In reference to the figure below, describe examples of activities that are associated with the different stages of disaster relief.

Chapter 2

  1. Discuss the differences between the internal energy and external energy of the Earth. What are examples of the effects these energy sources produce?
  2. Explain the possible combinations of plate types that may be present in a convergent boundary setting and describe the major features of these combinations.
  3. Explain the most common types of faulting as they are associated with each of the three types of tectonic plate boundaries.

Chapter 3

  1. Describe the methods used to manually calculate the epicenter of an earthquake.
  2. Explain the difference between the Modified Mercalli and the Richter magnitude scales when used to describe an earthquake. What is each based on?
  3. With respect to the figure below, discuss the concept of earthquake early warning systems, how they work, and their potential usefulness.
  4. Discuss the choices societies must make as they relate to managing the risk to people and property as a result of earthquakes.

Chapter 6

  1. Explain how an earthquake can generate a tsunami and provide examples.
  2. Describe some secondary and tertiary disaster effects of the 2011 Tohoku Tsunami?
  3. In terms of tsunami prediction, explain how the NOAA Deep-Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis system works.
  4. In the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, discuss the main reconstruction plan for Rikuzentakata, Japan.

Earthquakes

  1. Briefly explain the locations of the 2 greatest earthquake risk areas in Canada in terms of their geological setting.
  2. What mitigation strategies are now being employed in British Columbia to reduce the risks associated with potential future earthquakes in this seismically active region?
  3. Explain how P-wave alert/warning systems work and some advantages and disadvantages associated with them.

 

 

Revisit Line 6 above, approximately how many quarters is the length of that line? What does this tell you about the approximate length in inches?

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Geography Lab

Lab One: Measurements, Metric Conversions, and Map Comprehension

Answer Form

Use this form to record your answers.

________________________________________

Part 1: Measurement

Exercise 1.1:

 

 

  1. What is the length of Lines 1, 2, and 3 to the nearest 1/16 of an inch? Express your answer as both a fraction and a decimal.

Line 1 Fraction: ________________ inches Decimal: ________________ inches

Line 2 Fraction: ________________ inches Decimal: ________________ inches

Line 3 Fraction: ________________ inches Decimal: ________________ inches

 

  1. What is the length of Lines 4, 5, and 6 to the nearest 1/10 of a centimeter? Express your answer as a fraction, decimal and the equivalent millimeters.

Line 4 Fraction: ________ centimeters Decimal: ________ centimeters _________ millimeters

Line 5 Fraction: ________ centimeters Decimal: ________ centimeters _________ millimeters

Line 6 Fraction: ________ centimeters Decimal: ________ centimeters _________ millimeters

 

  1. Measure the width and height of a credit card, gift card or ID card. What is the width in inches? Height?
  2. Measure the height of a standard 12 ounce can of soda or similar beverage?
  3. What is the diameter of the lid?
  4. Revisit Line 6 above, approximately how many quarters is the length of that line?
  5. What does this tell you about the approximate length in inches?

Exercise 1.2:

Open the Lab 1 Digital Map: and answer the following questions. You may also access this map from Canvas. Go to the Santiago Canyon College Bookmark. Using the Measure Distance Tool, answer these questions:

  1. The Red Pushpin is the location of the lab classroom. Imagine that you were to exit the building (Green pushpin) and walk to your car (Blue pushpin). You can only walk along the sidewalk until you get to the parking lot. How far is it in feet from the building’s exit to your car?
  2. What is the difference in miles between Newport Boulevard and Jamboree Rd, if you were to drive along Chapman versus Santiago Canyon Rd?

 

How accurate are your measurements? Let’s find out. Go to the Valencia High School Bookmark and measure the length of the football field. Note: Football fields are 100 yards between the goal lines. I marked the goal lines in yellow on this image:

  1. How close were you to the actual length?

 

 

Change the Basemap to Imagery and Return to the Santiago Canyon College Bookmark,

  1. Using the measure area tool, measure the area of the field I labeled. How many sq. miles is it?

Challenge Question:

  1. What percentage of our campus is part of the built environment? The built environment includes parking lots, buildings, sidewalks, and concrete areas. Basically, everything that is not grass or vegetation. How would you go about answering this question? What is the answer?

Part 2: Converting Units of Measurement

Exercise 1.3:

Show your work, but check your answers with an online conversion tool.

English System

1 foot = 12 inches (in)

1 mile (mi) = 5280 feet = 63360 inches

1 gallon (gal) = 4 quarts

Système International

1 meter(m)= 100 centimeters (cm) = 1000 millimeters

1 kilometer (km)= 1000 meters

1 kilometer = 100,000 cm =1,000,000 mm

 

  1. 28 in * ft = ___________ ft

in

 

  1. 6 km * ___________m = _____________ meters

km

 

  1. 16 quarts = ___________ gallons

 

  1. 0.25 meters = ___________ millimeters

 

  1. 500000 centimeters = _________ kilometers

 

Practice converting between English System and Système International, using the following conversion factors. Show your work.

Conversion Factors:

 

1 kilometers (km) = .621 miles(mi)

1 kilograms (kg) = 2.205 pounds (lbs)

1 liter = 1.057 quarts

 

If given Celsius= (1.8 * °C)+32 ° = ° F

If given Fahrenheit = (° F – 32°) = °C

1.8

 

  1. 100 miles * _________km = ____________ km

miles

 

  1. 0.5 lbs * ________kg = _____________ kg

lbs

  1. 4 quarts = _____________ liters
  2. 13 ° C = _____________ ° F

 

  1. 20 ° C = _____________ ° F

 

  1. 77 ° F = _____________ °C

 

  1. 50 ° F = _____________ °C

Part 3: Rounding

Exercise 1.4:

Round the following numbers to the nearest tenth.

  1. 1.3556 = ______________
  2. 21.4333 = _____________

 

Round the following numbers to the nearest hundredth (two decimal places).

  1. 3.546 = ______________
  2. 24.9312 = _____________

 

Round the following numbers to the nearest whole number.

  1. 24.589 = ______________
  2. 12.158 = _____________

 

Part 4: Identify types of distortion on map projections

Exercise 1.5:

  1. Map A is most likely which type of projection? Explain your reasoning.

 

  1. Map B is most likely which type of projection? Explain your reasoning.
  2. Map C is most likely which type of projection? Explain your reasoning.

 

  1. Out of the three types of projections (Conformal, Equivalent (or equal area) or

Compromise), which projection would be the best for measuring the extent of a Tropical Rainforest? Explain your reasoning.

 

  1. Out of the three types of projections (Conformal, Equivalent (or equal area) or Compromise), which projection would be the best for a general reference world map? Explain your reasoning.

Exercise 1.6:

Explore how much conformal maps can distort size by visiting TheTrueSize.com website and answering the following questions.

  1. Which is bigger? Russia or the continent of Africa?

 

  1. Which is bigger? Poland or Kenya?

 

  1. Which is bigger? Alaska or Brazil?

 

Explain the importance of historical geography and urban geography as a research topic. How is it important to society? What other ideas occur to you to make it worth the reader’s time to keep reading your research?

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DISCUSSION QUESTION

Introduction

Explain the general research topic of urban change. Explore some of the basic issues associated how space in a city changes over time from a geographical perspective.

Explain the importance of historical geography and urban geography as a research topic. How is it important to society? What other ideas occur to you to make it worth the reader’s time to keep reading your research?

Explain your research question. It could be something like … “This paper’s purpose rests in exploring the interpreting X neighborhood or Y part of Z city change from 19XX to 20XX.” Then, present your research hypothesis. It could be something like … “At the onset of this research project, I hypothesized that the character of X portion of Y city has not changed substantially over the time from of 19XX to 20)CX.” Or, your hypothesis could be much more nuanced.

Explain the organization of the rest of the paper.

Literature Review
Start by explaining the organization of your literature review. This is especially important if you are not using subheadings. Then, think about the different papers that you found and read and organize them into themes. Examples of different themes could be: • Literature on the history of X neighborhood or even Y city • Literature Focusing on interpretation of urban change through rephotography • Methods used in using rephotography to understand urban change However, you certainly do not have to use these themes. Select those ideas that you think connect best to your own research and present a review of the published information. Feel free to take screenshots of figures from the literature. These figures will not count against any page limitations. For example you want to adopt an approach of identifying viewsheds similar to those used by Finn et al. (2009) (e.g. Figure 1).

Step 1
Explain your research topic/get reader’s attention
• Start by writing a paragraph about the general research topic. Explain the basic issues of the research problem. • Then, explain the importance of the research topic. Explain your own thinking. Explain why it is important to a subfield of geography. Explain its importance to society. Explain other reasons why it might be an important topic.

Step 2
Explain your research question
• In this step, you really narrow your focus from the general research issue to a very specific question. • Your questions will have a study site specific focus • Your questions will focus on one tiny “angle” or “aspect” of the broader research

Step 3
Present your hypothesis
• In this step, you do not have to use fancy jargon about hypothesis testing • Just explain what it is that you think you will discover. Please realize you do not have to be correct in your hypothesis to earn an A. Faulty hypotheses 4, are just fine.

Step 4
Explain the organization of your paper
• In this step, you summarize what the reader will experience as they go through your paper • This is like reading a sign about upcoming exits on a freeway • You are not writing a mystery novel, but you are explaining how you solved a mystery (research question) using a time-tested formula of organization.

In what ways do sandstorms affect daily life and business in the City of Dubai? Name 3. Why is this area of Dubai rich in oil deposits? Briefly say how the oil deposits formed.

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Desert to Greatest City – Dubai

Instructions: You are to watch a documentary on the City of Dubai in UAE called: Oil Money – Desert to Greatest City – Dubai – Full Documentary on Dubai city. (43 min. 03 sec). After watching the video, answer the questions listed below the video link.

Video title: Oil Money – Desert to Greatest City – Dubai – Full Documentary on Dubai city (43 min. 03 sec.)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1oX9L6e6_Q

Questions:

  1. Per the video, approximately how many skyscrapers are in the City of Dubai? Don’t google! _______________
  2. The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the tallest skyscraper in the World. According to the video, how many millions of gallons of water per day are required to keep it operational?
  3. The Burj Khalifa is a ¼-a mile tall skyscraper. Explain briefly how water is pumped/distributed in the whole building in order to avoid bursting pipes due to pressure.

Several streets in Dubai such as Sheikh Zayed Rd and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd in Dubai each, have more skyscrapers than any street in in the World, including Manhattan, NYC. What is the secret behind anchoring of skyscrapers (tall buildings) on soft desert sand in the City of Dubai? 2-3 sentences. HINT: Nasr Nasr!

Strong winds in the Persian Gulf are so strong they can bend or break the building’s concrete core. What technology has been used to protect the Burj Al Arab hotel from the powerful winds in the Persian Gulf? HINT: Hidden under its skin! Give details – 2 – 3 sentences.

Why are sandstorms frequent in the City of Dubai? Hint: Desert!

In what ways do sandstorms affect daily life and business in the City of Dubai? Name 3.

Why is this area of Dubai rich in oil deposits? Briefly say how the oil deposits formed. Hint: Geological accident! Min. of 2-3 sentences.

As one of the fastest growing cities in the World, Dubai has been running out of space for its residents. In what way has the city responded to this challenge? Be specific and detailed.

What is the Palm Jumeirah? ______________________________

  1. The Palm Jumeirah is the size of how many football fields?   ______________________
  2. Over 900 city blocks of land have been added to the City of Dubai by building islands in the sea. These islands have created space for how many additional people?  _______________________
  3. What natural method is being used to protect the World Islands project in the Persian Gulf from strong sea currents? Why has it been successful?

Has the City of Dubai succeeded in economic diversification? Support your answer with knowledge from video. (First, say what is economic diversification – google or just open MS PowerPoints!)?

Write down two fascinating facts from the video and say why? HINT: First, write down the facts, then say why you are surprised. Here is an example of a geographic fact about New York City that I learned from a video: The video stated that 37% of the NYC population comes from another country – that was not a surprise, but, I did not expect that there more than 800 languages spoken in the city. I knew New York City was multicultural but not to that extent. Those are real facts straight from the video. You get it!

What was the ONE takeaway for you? What conclusions can you draw from watching the video? 1-2 sentences

What is this one intellectual question that has come to your mind after watching the video?

 

 

 

 

The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the tallest skyscraper in the World. According to the video, how many millions of gallons of water per day are required to keep it operational?

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Desert to Greatest City – Dubai

Instructions: You are to watch a documentary on the City of Dubai in UAE called: Oil Money – Desert to Greatest City – Dubai – Full Documentary on Dubai city. (43 min. 03 sec). After watching the video, answer the questions listed below the video link.

Video title: Oil Money – Desert to Greatest City – Dubai – Full Documentary on Dubai city (43 min. 03 sec.)

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1oX9L6e6_Q

Questions:

  1. Per the video, approximately how many skyscrapers are in the City of Dubai? Don’t google! _______________
  2. The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is the tallest skyscraper in the World. According to the video, how many millions of gallons of water per day are required to keep it operational?
  3. The Burj Khalifa is a ¼-a mile tall skyscraper. Explain briefly how water is pumped/distributed in the whole building in order to avoid bursting pipes due to pressure.

Several streets in Dubai such as Sheikh Zayed Rd and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd in Dubai each, have more skyscrapers than any street in in the World, including Manhattan, NYC. What is the secret behind anchoring of skyscrapers (tall buildings) on soft desert sand in the City of Dubai? 2-3 sentences. HINT: Nasr Nasr!

Strong winds in the Persian Gulf are so strong they can bend or break the building’s concrete core. What technology has been used to protect the Burj Al Arab hotel from the powerful winds in the Persian Gulf? HINT: Hidden under its skin! Give details – 2 – 3 sentences.

Why are sandstorms frequent in the City of Dubai? Hint: Desert!

In what ways do sandstorms affect daily life and business in the City of Dubai? Name 3.

Why is this area of Dubai rich in oil deposits? Briefly say how the oil deposits formed. Hint: Geological accident! Min. of 2-3 sentences.

As one of the fastest growing cities in the World, Dubai has been running out of space for its residents. In what way has the city responded to this challenge? Be specific and detailed.

What is the Palm Jumeirah? ______________________________

  1. The Palm Jumeirah is the size of how many football fields?   ______________________
  2. Over 900 city blocks of land have been added to the City of Dubai by building islands in the sea. These islands have created space for how many additional people?  _______________________
  3. What natural method is being used to protect the World Islands project in the Persian Gulf from strong sea currents? Why has it been successful?

Has the City of Dubai succeeded in economic diversification? Support your answer with knowledge from video. (First, say what is economic diversification – google or just open MS PowerPoints!)?

Write down two fascinating facts from the video and say why? HINT: First, write down the facts, then say why you are surprised. Here is an example of a geographic fact about New York City that I learned from a video: The video stated that 37% of the NYC population comes from another country – that was not a surprise, but, I did not expect that there more than 800 languages spoken in the city. I knew New York City was multicultural but not to that extent. Those are real facts straight from the video. You get it!

What was the ONE takeaway for you? What conclusions can you draw from watching the video? 1-2 sentences

What is this one intellectual question that has come to your mind after watching the video?

 

 

 

 

Based on what you have learned about your city and course content discussed over the semester, describe potential concerns and issues the city might have in the near and long-term future.

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FUTURE CHALLENGES FOR YOUR SELECTED CITY

You might have to do some additional research for this section…

Based on what you have learned about your city and course content discussed over the semester, describe potential concerns and issues the city might have in the near and long-term future. (For example, consider any current hazards or hazards that might worsen over time. Any impacts from climate change? Any impacts from human development or other human activity? Sustainable growth and development plans? Etc.) You might have to do some additional research for this section.

In addition, describe how any of those challenges might impact your decision to stay in the city. Finally, are there any changes that you hope to see in the city that would make it more appealing to you and/or encourage you to stay in the city in the long-term?

 

Distinguish between the Lunar maria and Lunar highlands. What planet has the highest surface temperature and has an atmosphere that is 97% carbon dioxide?

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Touring Our Solar System discussion

  1. Distinguish between the Lunar maria and Lunar highlands.
  2. What planet has the highest surface temperature and has an atmosphere that is 97% carbon dioxide?
  3. Which planet has a “Great Red Spot” and could have been a star if it were ten times more massive?
  4. Which planet is known as the “Red planet” and has a similar length day and axial tilt as the Earth.

 

Choose one type and discuss its characteristics such as eruption style, magma composition and topography. Provide a historic eruption example for your volcano type and images to support your post.

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Discussion Essay

Part 1-Respond to the following prompt: There are four principle types of volcanoes discussed in your textbook. Choose one type and discuss its characteristics such as eruption style, magma composition and topography. Provide a historic eruption example for your volcano type and images to support your post.

Be sure to provide citations to your sources as you use research to support your own opinion.

Part 2-Respond to a classmate: After you have posted your first researched response to the prompt above, you will be able to see classmate’s posts. Choose 1 classmate to respond to. In your response you must engage in academic conversation by providing thoughtful analysis and elaborating on your classmate’s post. You may choose to find different examples than what your classmate already posted to share with them. To earn full credit, you MUST include citations to research in your second post as well.

 

What are the 3 phases of ENSO? Why is ENSO considered an ocean-atmosphere climate variability phenomenon? What are the changes in the ocean and atmosphere that occur during the El Niño phase?

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Learning Objectives

Through this activity, you will:

  1. Use web-based data sources to learn about ENSO, how it works, and how we measure it. This will complement material you have also learned in lecture.
  1. Learn how to use real datasets published by NOAA’s National Weather Service on ENSO to interpret historic trends in ENSO events and current conditions.
  1. Assess the current state of ENSO and interpret what this means for weather conditions in southern California and elsewhere in the U.S.

Procedure

Part A. Understanding the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

Go to the website https://www.climate.gov/enso. Scroll down to the tab that says “What is ENSO?”. Read through the information on this tab, and click on the link that says “What is El Niño in a nutshell?”. Read through this material and answer the following questions.

  1. What are the 3 phases of ENSO?
  2. Why is ENSO considered an ocean-atmosphere climate variability phenomenon?
  3. What are the changes in the ocean and atmosphere that occur during the El Niño phase?

Ocean:

Atmosphere:

  1. What are the changes in the ocean and atmosphere that occur during the La Niña phase?

Ocean:

Atmosphere:

  1. Why is this phenomenon named “El Niño”? Who discovered El Niño?
  2. What does the “Southern Oscillation” refer to? Who discovered it?
  3. Why did scientists combine the terms El Niño and Southern Oscillation in the acronym ENSO?

Now click on the link at the bottom of the page that says read more here. Read the article and answer the following questions.

  1. What is the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI)? How is it defined and measured? Which region of the ocean does it refer to?
  2. How is a significant ENSO ‘event’ defined using the ONI (i.e., what values define an El Niño and a La Niña)?
  1. Next, Look at the graph of the ONI over the past 20 years. When was the last El Niño event? When was the last La Niña event?

Now, to get a better sense of historical ENSO variability, go to the following website for the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center and view the table of historic ONI values. Note that the top row in the table is a 3-month rolling average window. Just consider the values to be associated with the middle month in the sequence. For instance, for DJF, this value would be roughly associated with January of that year.

https://origin.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/ensostuff/

ONI_v5.php

  1. Since 1980, how many significant El Niño events have there been? How many La Niñas? What year had the biggest El Niño over this time, and what was the ONI that year? What year had the biggest La Niña, and what was the ONI that year?

Part B: ENSO “teleconnections” and effects on weather in the U.S. and southern California

Go back to https://www.climate.gov/enso and answer the following questions.

  1. What is a ‘teleconnection’ and why is ENSO considered to be this type of phenomenon?
  1. What phase of ENSO are we in now (look at the Current Status)?
  2. What are the typical weather impacts (temperature, precipitation) in Southern California based on current ENSO conditions (scroll down to “U.S. Impacts”)?
  3. Click on the 3-month outlook under “U.S. Impacts”. This spring (the next 3 months) should we expect above or below normal temperatures in Santa Barbara and by what probability (% chance)? Should we expect below or above normal precipitation and by what probability (% chance)? Do these outlooks for temperature and precipitation match up with expectations (or not) for “typical” conditions for our current ENSO phase? Explain why/not.

Now go the webpage http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/psd/enso/climaterisks/. Here you will find information about how the phase of ENSO can influence weather patterns across the United States. Play around with the interactive graphic and answer the following questions.

  1. What regions of the United States have warmer than average winter (Dec-Feb) temperatures during a La Niña? Which regions have cooler than average temperatures under La Niña conditions?
  1. Does La Niña increase of decrease the chance of precipitation for Southern California? During what time of year does the greatest effect of La Niña on Southern California precipitation occur?
  2. Southern California is currently in a drought and could use some rain. Should we be hoping for an El Niño or a La Niña event and why?