University of Central Florida (UCF) GEO1200 Physical Geography Midterm Practice Exam

The phenomenon that describes hot water being replaced by cool water corresponding to the choices provided is known as La Niña. This weather pattern typically occurs in the Pacific Ocean when the trade winds strengthen, causing a displacement of warm surface waters toward the west. As warm water is pushed away, cooler water rises to the surface from the deep ocean, creating a more pronounced cooling of the ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific. This cooling can influence global weather patterns, affecting precipitation and temperature in various regions, leading to droughts in some areas and increased rainfall in others.

In contrast, El Niño refers to a warming of ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific, which occurs when the trade winds weaken, leading to different weather patterns. Ocean currents themselves are broader terms that describe the continuous movement of ocean water, influenced by various factors, including wind, water density differences, and the Earth's rotation. Wave action refers to the movement of energy through the ocean, primarily caused by wind and does not specifically pertain to the process of hot water being replaced by cool water.

Understanding La Niña is crucial since it highlights the importance of ocean-atmosphere interactions in driving global climatic changes.