marine mammals Archives - Disasters News

The world’s oceans are heating up at an alarming rate, with marine heatwaves (MHWs) surging by 240% over the last two years according to a new study published in Nature Climate Change. From 2023 to 2024 nearly 10% of the world’s oceans recorded their highest-ever sea surface temperatures (SST), reaching levels four times higher than historical averages. Scientists attribute this rapid warming to human-induced climate change, El Niño, and record-low global cloud cover. The impact of prolonged MHWs has been devastating. The rising ocean temperatures contributed to heatwaves in the UK, North America, and Japan, as well as severe flooding in Ecuador, Libya, and Australia. These heatwaves also supercharged hurricanes, including Cyclone Gabrielle, which caused $14 billion in damages in New...

A new study has warned that Arctic and Subarctic marine mammals are facing rising mortality rates and declining reproductive success due to the increasing frequency and intensity of marine heat waves (MHWs). These extreme ocean temperature events, which can last for days or even years, pose a serious threat to species such as cetaceans, sea lions, seals, and walruses. The Arctic Ocean is projected to become a future hotspot for MHWs, with sea surface temperatures surpassing historical norms for extended periods. Scientists define an MHW as a temperature anomaly that exceeds the local 90th percentile threshold for at least five consecutive days. These heat waves have already been linked to widespread disruptions in Arctic and Subarctic ecosystems. The study, published in Frontiers in ...

Tag: marine mammals

Oceans in Crisis Marine Heatwaves Surge by 240% in Just Two Years

Rising Ocean Heat Waves Threaten Arctic Marine Mammals with Higher Mortality, Lower Reproduction: Study