
Marine Heatwaves Surge 240% in Two Years, Triggering Global Disruptions
A new study has revealed a 240% increase in marine heatwave (MHW) days worldwide during the 2023-24 summers, marking an unprecedented rise in ocean temperatures due to climate change, El Niño, and record-low cloud cover.
The research, published in Nature Climate Change, shows that 10% of the world's oceans recorded their highest-ever sea surface temperatures (SSTs), reaching levels four times above historical averages.
Extreme Weather and Oceanic Disruptions
The prolonged marine heatwaves had far-reaching effects, influencing global weather patterns and triggering severe storms, flooding, and cyclones:
Heatwaves struck the UK, North America, and Japan
Severe flooding hit Ecuador, Libya, Japan, and Australia
The Atlantic hurricane season saw near-record storms
MHWs in...