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Is "El Niño" in Our Future?

Carefully watching the temperature of the sea is the work of an international group of scientists, climatologists, oceanographers, and hydrologists. The reason is the devastating effect of a strong rise in the temperature of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Peru. This effect is called "El Niño" and is the cause of a severe disruption in the normal pattern of weather for Peru. In 1982 and 1997 the fishing and agricultural communities experienced a severe impact when "El Niño" arrived. Fish who normally follow the cold water of the Humboldt Current did not do so. Rainfall patterns were altered so that flooding and drought occurred in various parts of the country. The weather was much warmer and humid than usual.

Recently these scientists predicted the arrival of another El Niño this summer, but they now expect the effect to be mild. Even so, Peruvian Regional Government officials have been meeting to prepare for any possible disruptions. In addition, the Peruvian Government Agency, IMARPE, (Instituto del Mar del Peru) is actively studying conditions in the ocean off the coast to determine, among other things, what will happen with "El Niño".

The importance of all is this is underlined by the convoking of the first International Conference on the study of the Humboldt Current which will take place in Lima in November. Imminent scientists from various disciplines will be meeting to share information on the action of this ocean current and its' impact on daily life in Peru. For further information about the conference and the studies of the ocean by the Peruvian government go to www.imarpe.gob.pe.

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