During the last week of classes, we will be re-examining the connection between the ocean and the atmosphere via the climate phenomena known as El Niņo.  
On Friday May 4th, you will receive 2 satellite images, an information sheet,  and a worksheet.  The images and the initial questions on the worksheet need to be completed by class-time on Wednesday, May 9th.  In class, on Wednesday May 9th, you will receive an additional worksheet which will be completed in class.  The entire assignment will be turned in at the end of class on Wednesday May 9th.

If for some reason you are not in class to receive the hand-outs, please see me 
prior to the assignment due date to pick-up your copies so that you may complete the assignment and turn it in on time!

The following questions are based on the hand-outs from class.  If you are in class to receive the worksheets, there is no need to print out the following questions.

Remember, completed assignments are due Wednesday May 9th.

The assignment may be completed and handed-in on the worksheet.

Read the information from class about the TOPEX/Poseidon data and then 
answer the following questions.

1.                  What aspect of the ocean does the TOPEX/Poseidon satellite measure?

2.                  How accurate are these measurements?

Next, following the color scheme given on the handouts, use colored pencils 
to color the TOPEX/Poseidon images (The Rise and Fall of El Niņo Parts A and B). 
Note:  the colored images will be collected and are worth 4 points out of the total assignment value of 10 points.

The TOPEX/Poseidon satellite images show sea surface anomalies.  A sea surface 
anomaly is the difference between the height of the sea surface during a particular 10-day period and the average height for that time of year. 
The map images of sea surface anomalies can be related to the temperature of 
the sea surface.  High areas on the maps correspond to warm water and low areas correspond to cold water.

Examine your colored diagrams of the TOPEX/Poseidon satellite images and answer the following questions.

3.                  Explain why the sea surface would be higher if the water is warmer. 
(Hint:  Think of the effect of density.)

4.                  Focusing on the eastern side of the image, describe what happens from 
March 1997 to November 1997 (Part A).

5.                  Now, do the same thing for the second image: January 1998 to May 1998 (Part B).

6.                  El Niņo was at a maximum in November.  
How can we know that from the diagrams?

7.                  How long did it take El Niņo to reach a maximum?

8.                  Which way did the warm water travel across the Pacific Ocean?

10.              What is the numerical difference between the height of the highest 
and lowest points on the ocean surface?