Ocean Surface Temperature Hits An All-Time High, Smashing Previous Records

The global ocean is heating up alarmingly, breaking records and threatening marine life. ??

According to preliminary data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the average temperature recorded at the ocean's surface has hit a record-breaking level since satellite measurements and records initially started, causing heat waves in the oceans worldwide. ??

The average temperature recorded at the ocean floor's top has been at 21.1°C since April 2023, surpassing the earlier record of 21°C established in 2016. ???

The trajectory is headed off the charts, smashing the earlier records, explained by Professor Matthew England, associated with the University of New South Wales, per The Guardian US . ??

La Nina states have existed in the tropical Pacific for about three years, which has helped cool the temperatures and reduce the effect of increasing greenhouse gas emissions. The prolonged cold phase was tamping down the global mean surface temperature, explains NOAA scientist. ??

Further examination observed that heat was rising to the ocean's surface, reflecting the possibility of an El Nino pattern later in 2022 in the tropical Pacific, which could also enhance the danger of extreme weather and challenge worldwide heat records. ??

The latest "triple dip" La Nina is over. The prolonged cold phase had been tamping down the global mean surface temperatures irrespective of the rise of greenhouse gases in the entire atmosphere. Now that it is over, we see a climate change signal coming through loudly and clearly, as mentioned by Dr. Mike McPhaden, a scientist associated with NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration . ??

Oceans have absorbed 90% of the excess heat. Global temperatures are cooled off during the La Nina times, defined by cooling in the central and eastern tropical Pacific and more powerful trade winds. Ocean temperatures in these areas are warmer than usual during the El Nino phases, which causes world temperatures to go up. ???

Marine heat waves are periods of constant anomalously warm ocean temperatures, which can significantly impact marine life, coastal communities, and economies2. Scientists at PSL are working to characterize marine heat waves, understand how they form and dissipate, and predict them in advance2. ??????

Marine heatwaves wreak havoc on ocean ecosystems, leading to seabird starvation, coral bleaching, dying kelp forests, and migration of fish, whales, and turtles in search of cooler waters3. Some of the recently observed marine heat waves revealed the high vulnerability of marine ecosystems? and fisheries? to such extreme climate events. ??????

How can we prevent further ocean warming and protect our precious marine life? ??

We must act now and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, trapping heat in the atmosphere and warming the planet. We must also support research and monitoring of ocean conditions and adaptation and mitigation strategies for coastal communities and marine industries. We need to raise awareness and educate ourselves and others about the causes and consequences of ocean heat waves. And we need to join forces with other countries and organizations to tackle this global challenge. ????????

The ocean is our life support system. Let's not let it down. ??

Marine Heatwaves: NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory. https://psl.noaa.gov/marine-heatwaves/.

The past's extreme ocean heat waves are now the new normal - Science News. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/ocean-extreme-heat-wave-past-climate-new-normal.

Marine heatwaves under global warming | Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018-0383-9.

Climate Change: Ocean Heat Content | NOAA Climate.gov. https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-ocean-heat-content.

Ocean Heat Waves Are Getting Worse - Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/ocean-heat-waves-are-getting-worse/.

Headed off the charts: world’s ocean surface temperature hits record high. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/apr/08/headed-off-the-charts-worlds-ocean-surface-temperature-hits-record-high