The Modesto Area Partners in Science (MAPS) will offer the presentation “El Niño: Earth’s Climate Heartbeat” by Noah Hughes, professor of Earth Sciences at Modesto Junior College. The free event is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Sierra Hall 132 on West Campus, 2201 Blue Gum Ave., Modesto.

Hughes, who teaches courses in oceanography, meteorology, and Earth sciences, will discuss the climate phenomenon known as El Niño, a large-scale, quasi-periodic shift in the coupled patterns of oceanic and atmospheric circulation that brings changes to the short-term climate of places around the world.

Hughes will discuss some common pop culture myths about El Niño, and explain how it works and why it happens. He will present data to analyze whether or not we can detect the El Niño fingerprint on this month’s “parade of storms” that have moved through Central California. He will also offer some long-range forecast products to try to see what is in store for the next few weeks and the rest of the winter.

The free public MAPS event is intended for people over 12 years of age.

For more information about the MAPS program, contact Professor Hughes at 575-6800 or hughesn@mjc.edu