A new study shows that the duration of ocean heatwaves has increased threefold, posing serious threats to marine habitats and intensifying extreme weather events.
A recent study has unveiled alarming findings regarding the impact of climate change on ocean heatwaves, revealing a threefold increase in their duration. Conducted by scientists from the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies in Mallorca, Spain, the research underscores the escalating intensity of these heatwaves and their detrimental effects on marine ecosystems, including critical habitats such as kelp forests and coral reefs.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, is considered the first extensive investigation into how the global climate crisis alters oceanic heatwave patterns. Researchers indicated that nearly half of the marine heatwaves recorded since the year 2000 would not have occurred without the influence of global warming, primarily attributed to the combustion of fossil fuels.
Marta Marcos, the lead researcher, highlighted the situation in the Mediterranean, where certain marine heatwaves have been measured at temperatures reaching 5°C above average. “It’s horrible when you go swimming. It looks like soup,” she remarked during her commentary regarding the current state of the ocean waters in the region. The effects are not limited to aesthetic discomfort; these heating trends adversely impact the health of vital underwater ecosystems such as seagrass meadows. Additionally, Marcos noted that “warmer oceans provide more energy to the strong storms that affect people at the coast and inland,” suggesting an augmentation of extreme weather events linked to this phenomenon.
The data indicates a significant change in the intensity and frequency of marine heatwaves over recent decades. While the ocean surface experienced an average of approximately 15 days of extreme heat per year in the 1940s, this figure has surged to nearly 50 days globally in contemporary times. Certain regions, such as the Indian Ocean, the tropical Atlantic, and the western Pacific, are now enduring upwards of 80 heatwave days annually. This trend is particularly alarming in the context of cooler seas, where the influx of additional heat can drive more severe temperature increases, as evidenced in regions like the Mediterranean Sea and the North Sea.
Recent history has witnessed several major marine heatwaves, including a prolonged event in the Pacific Ocean from 2014 to 2015 that resulted in extensive marine life fatalities. The Tasman Sea experienced intense heat during the period of 2015 to 2016, and the Mediterranean recorded unprecedented sea temperatures in 2023.
Marcos emphasised the urgent need to address the root causes of climate change, stating, “the only solution is cutting the burning of fossil fuels.” She explained that more than 90% of the excess heat resulting from greenhouse gas emissions is absorbed by the oceans; thus, controlling atmospheric warming is critical for mitigating ocean temperature increases.
The report serves as a significant contribution to the ongoing discourse on climate change, highlighting the growing urgency for addressing its effects on global marine environments.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-41613697.html – This article supports the claim that the duration of ocean heatwaves has significantly increased due to the climate crisis, further exacerbating storms and marine ecosystem damage.
- https://eo4society.esa.int/projects/careheat/ – This link provides information on the detection of marine heatwaves, which aligns with the study’s focus on their increasing intensity and impact on marine environments like the Mediterranean.
- https://imedea.uib-csic.es/en/communication-and-scientific-literacy/news/?new_id=2023 – This resource corroborates the intensification of marine heatwaves in the Mediterranean, particularly during summer months, affecting ecological habitats.
- https://www.icm.csic.es/en/news/marine-heat-waves-leave-80-coral-northwestern-mediterranean-very-fragile-condition – This study highlights the devastating effects of marine heatwaves on coral reefs and benthic species in the Mediterranean, consistent with the article’s mention of impacts on vital underwater ecosystems.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35848527/ – This PubMed entry supports the notion that climate change is driving increased mass mortality events in marine organisms due to heatwaves, underscoring the ecological risks mentioned in the article.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
Recent data up to 2023 suggests freshness, though the phenomenon of marine heatwaves is not entirely new.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
Quotes attributed to Marta Marcos are plausible but lack clear online verification. They could be original.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable scientific study but lacks specific mention of a well-known publication, which typically enhances credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims align with known impacts of climate change on marine environments, making them plausible.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative is generally plausible and recent, with data supported by scientific evidence. However, the lack of clear verification for some statements and quotes hinders full confidence.
