Large ocean swell caused by warming of surface waters in the southeastern Pacific creating the phenomenon known as El Nino, cause of severe winter weather in California, USA [Getty Images]

Large ocean swell caused by warming of surface waters in the southeastern Pacific creating the phenomenon known as El Nino, cause of severe winter weather in California, USA — see more

Large ocean swell caused by warming of surface waters in the southeastern Pacific creating the phenomenon known as El Nino, cause of severe winter weather in California, USA

Oxford Scientific Mark Conlin