1. Q: What is the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)?
A: The IOD is a climate pattern in the Indian Ocean characterized by differences in sea surface temperatures between the western and eastern parts of the ocean.
2. Q: What are the phases of the IOD?
A: The IOD has two main phases: positive and negative. In the positive phase, the western Indian Ocean is warmer than the eastern part. In the negative phase, this pattern is reversed.
3. Q: How does the IOD affect weather?
A: The IOD influences rainfall patterns, particularly in regions around the Indian Ocean like Australia, Southeast Asia, and East Africa.
4. Q: What causes the IOD to shift between phases?
A: The IOD is driven by interactions between the ocean and atmosphere, including changes in wind patterns and ocean currents.
5. Q: How is climate change expected to affect the IOD?
A: As oceans warm due to climate change, the IOD is expected to experience more frequent extreme events.
6. Q: What do we mean by "extreme events" in the context of the IOD?
A: Extreme events refer to particularly strong positive or negative phases of the IOD, which can have more significant impacts on weather patterns.
7. Q: Are there any observed changes in the IOD already?
A: Some studies suggest that strong IOD events have become more frequent since the 1970s, but more research is needed to confirm this trend.
8. Q: How might changes in the IOD affect monsoons?
A: Changes in the IOD could alter the strength and timing of monsoons in regions like South Asia.
9. Q: What are the potential impacts of IOD changes on agriculture?
A: Shifts in rainfall patterns due to IOD changes could significantly affect crop yields in regions influenced by the IOD.
10. Q: How do scientists study and predict IOD changes?
A: Scientists use a combination of observed data, satellite measurements, and climate models to study and predict changes in the IOD.
SRIRAM's
Share:
Get a call back
Fill the below form to get free counselling for UPSC Civil Services exam preparation