El Niño is the warm phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation and is one of the primary drivers of irregular weather patterns around the world. The oscillation occurs irregularly as a sub-decadal fluctuation in winds and sea surface temperature in the tropical Pacific. This leads to changes in weather patterns; something that Dr Timme Donders is now hunting for in the high-altitude lakes of the Andes! Watch his three minute video to learn more (and see some awesome pollen grains!).