Final answer:
El Niño is known for disrupting weather patterns, causing increased rainfall, flooding, and impacting marine life and agriculture along the west coast of the Americas.
Step-by-step explanation:
El Niño is a significant climate phenomenon that affects weather patterns globally, including those along the west coast of the Americas. During an El Niño event, a band of warm ocean water develops in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific, which leads to high air pressure in the western Pacific and low air pressure in the eastern Pacific. This change in pressure can cause the following effects:
- Increased rainfall leading to flooding and landslides.
- Disruption of marine life due to warmer waters, which can impact fishing economies.
- Alterations in temperature and weather that can affect agricultural production.
Apart from these direct implications, El Niño can also result in indirect economic consequences. For example, crop failures can lead to higher prices on various goods and services, affecting economies worldwide.