What phenomenon occurs when warm water is pushed towards the western Pacific?

The phenomenon that occurs when warm water is pushed towards the western Pacific is known as El Niño. During El Niño events, trade winds weaken, allowing warm surface waters that typically pile up in the western Pacific to flow eastward across the equatorial Pacific. This leads to significant changes in ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions, impacting weather patterns globally.

El Niño is characterized by the warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, which can disrupt normal weather patterns, leading to increased rainfall and flooding in some regions, while causing droughts in others. This phenomenon plays a crucial role in the climate system and is a key aspect of oceanography and climate studies.