Whose observations first linked ocean temperature patterns to El Niño?
Quick Answer
Gilbert Walker and later oceanographers helped identify large-scale climate patterns, while Peruvian observers had noted El Niño long before modern science. The modern El Niño concept became scientifically clear in the 20th century.
The Full Story
El Niño was first recognized by coastal observers in Peru as a periodic warming of the eastern Pacific, often around Christmas. In the 20th century, Gilbert Walker and later oceanographers connected these ocean changes to broad atmospheric patterns. Modern science now defines El Niño as part of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation, a major climate cycle that affects weather across the globe. It influences rainfall, fisheries, storms, and sea temperatures worldwide.
Key Facts
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