Final answer:
The highest tropical surface air pressure is found in the (a) eastern tropical Pacific, due to the cooler surface water temperatures and higher air pressures associated with La Niña conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tropical surface air pressure is known to be highest in the eastern tropical Pacific. This is due to the cool phase of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), called La Niña, which features cooler surface water temperatures and higher air pressures in the eastern Pacific compared to the western Pacific. The cooler surface temperatures result in denser, cooler air which increases the surface air pressure.
The relationship between ocean temperatures and air pressure is essential in understanding weather and climate patterns. Cold surface water cools the air above, leading to higher air pressure, while warm surface water adds heat and moisture, resulting in lower air pressure. When the surface air is cooler, like in the eastern tropical Pacific during La Niña conditions, the air is denser and thus exerts a higher pressure on the surface.
Tropical regions often receive more precipitation due to their ability to hold more moisture in warm air. However, in the eastern Pacific, the cooler temperatures associated with La Niña lead to drier, more stable conditions representing higher pressure when compared to the western Pacific's warm, moist, lower-pressure environment.