Final answer:
The height differences in the oceans during the La Nina and El Nino events are caused by shifts in weather patterns and ocean currents. During a La Nina event, there is below-average sea surface temperature, resulting in cooler oceans and lower ocean heights. On the other hand, an El Nino event causes warm ocean water to develop, leading to higher ocean temperatures and higher ocean heights.
Step-by-step explanation:
The differences in ocean height during the La Nina event in 1999 and the El Nino event in 2015 are caused by shifts in weather patterns and ocean currents. During a La Nina event, sea surface temperatures (SST) in the eastern Pacific are below average, resulting in high air pressure in the eastern Pacific and low air pressure in the western Pacific. This leads to a cooler ocean and lower ocean heights.
On the other hand, during an El Nino event, a band of warm ocean water develops in the central and east-central equatorial Pacific, including off the Pacific coast of South America. This causes high air pressure in the western Pacific and low air pressure in the eastern Pacific, resulting in warmer ocean temperatures and higher ocean heights.
It is important to note that these events are part of the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, which causes global changes in temperatures and rainfall patterns.