What is El Niño Taimasa? Strong El Niño events leading to lower local sea levels

During a very strong El Niño, sea level can drop in the tropical western South Pacific and tides remain below normal for up to a year, especially around Samoa. Scientists are studying the climate effects of this variation of El Niño, naming it 'El Niño Taimasa' after the wet stench of coral die-offs, called 'taimasa' by Samoans.

Source: ScienceDaily Headlines - February 20, 2014 Category: Science Source Type: news