Teaching Module: The Impact of ENSO and Human Activities on River Hydrology (a case study of the Huanghe River)

A teaching module to learn about the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) by performing calculations and analyzing results for Tahiti and Darwin (Australia), and for the Huanghe River in China.

Students will calculate the SOI of ENSO by using the mean sea level pressure data from Tahiti and Darwin (Australia) for an 80-year period. They will compare the calculated SOI with a case study of the Huanghe River in China. Students will also analyze and discuss the impact of ENSO and humans on the Huanghe River.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

1. What is the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)? How is it calculated?
2. How have ENSO events affected the Huanghe River (based on the data and calculations in the exercises)?
3. Explain the reasons for the observed difference between the natural water discharge and the measured water discharge for the Huanghe River (based on the data and exercises).

About the Tool

Tool Name	Contemporary Climate Oscillations: ENSO and a case study of the Huanghe River
Discipline	Earth Sciences
Topic(s) in Discipline	River Hydrology; River Sedimentation; River Discharge; Relationship between ENSO, Precipitation and River Discharge; River Delta Geo-morphology; Impact of Climate Change and Anthropogenic Activities on Rivers
Climate Topic	Climate and the Hydrosphere, Climate and the Anthroposphere
Type of Tool	Teaching Module
Grade Level	Undergraduate
Location	Asia
	China
	Huanghe
Language	English
Translation
Developed by	Nicole Marshall, Steve Kuehl (Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary)
Hosted at	Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Link	https://serc.carleton.edu/margins/collection/75634.html
Access	Online, Offline
Computer Skills	Intermediate

Huanghe River, China