Final answer:
The Indian Ocean Dipole causes the sea surface to be warmer along the African coast but cooler along the Australian coast. Characterized by changing sea-surface temperatures, the IOD influences regional climate patterns, affecting precipitation and atmospheric circulation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the question concerning the effect of the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) on sea surface temperatures is: the sea surface will be warmer along the African coast but cooler along the Australian coast. This is known as a positive phase of the IOD. Conversely, during a negative phase, the opposite occurs, with cooler water near Africa and warmer water near Australia.
The IOD is an irregular oscillation of sea-surface temperatures in which the western Indian Ocean becomes alternately warmer and then colder than the eastern part of the ocean.
Sea-surface temperature changes caused by the IOD can have significant impacts on the climate of surrounding regions. A positive IOD can lead to drought conditions in Indonesia and Australia, while potentially resulting in floods in East Africa.
These climate patterns are a consequence of changes in the atmospheric circulation and precipitation over these areas. This phenomenon is distinct but can work in conjunction with other climate patterns like El Niño, which frequently receives more attention in the context of global weather patterns.