Crossword Genius

Ocean process taking different line before turning active (2,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

el nino

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'ocean process' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't understand how one could define the other.

'different line before turning active' is the wordplay.
'different' is an anagram indicator (letters placed in a different order).
'before' says to put letters next to each other.
'turning' is a reversal indicator.
'active' becomes 'on' (I've seen this in other clues).
'on' back-to-front is 'no'.
'line' with letters rearranged gives 'elni'.
'elni'+'no'='EL NINO'

'taking' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for el nino that I've seen before include "Irregular Pacific climatic event" , "Pacific climate pattern" , "Climatic event affecting world's weather" , "Disrupter of weather patterns" , "Cause of weather change" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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