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:
- What is the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI)? How is it calculated?
- How have ENSO events affected the Huanghe River (based on the data and calculations in the exercises)?
- 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