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Ocean Heat Wave

All articles tagged with #ocean heat wave

environment2 years ago•6 min saved

Florida's Devastating Ocean Heat Wave Threatens Marine Life and Coral Reefs

Ocean temperatures off the coast of Florida are reaching unprecedented levels, with waters currently "strikingly warm" and up to 7 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. This heat wave poses a significant threat to marine life, particularly coral reefs, which are likely to experience bleaching. The Florida Reef Tract has already lost about 90% of its live coral cover since the 1980s. The warming is attributed to a combination of factors, including the abnormal position of the Bermuda high and human-caused climate change. The impacts of ocean warming extend beyond marine life, affecting coastal communities, economies, and contributing to the intensity of hurricanes. The changes in temperature will have lasting impacts on marine biodiversity and the millions of people living in coastal areas worldwide.

via ABC News|

#climate-change #coral-reefs #environment

environment2 years ago•6 min saved

"South Florida's Waters Suffer Devastating Ocean Heat Wave"

An ocean heat wave in South Florida, fueled by a combination of El Nino and climate change, has raised concerns among scientists about the potential for cascading disasters. Ocean temperatures have risen by five degrees above normal since July, with half the planet's oceans predicted to undergo heat waves by September. The warming waters could impact fish populations, endanger spawning grounds for Atlantic bluefin tuna, exacerbate record heat on land, and lead to widespread coral bleaching. Scientists are working on developing more heat-tolerant coral, but the root causes of climate change, such as carbon emissions, need to be addressed to protect ocean life and mitigate the impacts of rising temperatures.

via NPR|

#climate-change #coral-bleaching #el-nino

climate-change2 years ago•5 min saved

"Concerns Rise Over North Atlantic Marine Heatwave's Impact on Marine Life and Weather Patterns"

The North Atlantic is experiencing an unprecedented marine heat wave, with sea surface temperatures running as high as 5 degrees Celsius above normal, the warmest in more than 170 years. The event has registered as a Category 4 on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s marine heat wave scale with localized areas reaching Category 5, the two highest categories on the scale. The warm waters are a threat to marine life and could worsen heat waves over land this summer. The cause of the extreme ocean warmth is debatable, but scientists say that human-caused climate change has increased the chances of heat waves both on land and in the oceans.

via The Washington Post|

#climate-change #marine-life #north-atlantic

environment3 years ago•4 min saved

Monterey Peninsula's Kelp Forest Suffers Unprecedented Decline.

A study has found that the massive marine heat wave of 2014-2016 caused kelp forests in the Monterey Peninsula to decline by 80% between 2014 and 2021, with the impact still being felt today. The decline is due to a combination of factors, including warmer ocean temperatures and a disease that decimated sunflower sea stars, a predator for purple sea urchins. Restoration efforts have been made, but the urchin barrens still stretch for miles along the coast. The study highlights the long-lasting impact of even brief periods of ocean warming, which are increasing with climate change.

via San Francisco Chronicle|

#california-coast #climate-change #environment