Ocean Warming in Overdrive: 50% Increase in Marine Heat Waves, with Catastrophic Consequences
A newly discovered phenomenon affecting the sea floor of the North American continental shelves & other areas around the globe is called "bottom marine heat waves
Australia, the Mediterranean, & the Tasmanian Seas are some of the areas that are affected by these heat waves, which are a global phenomenon.
90% of the excess heat from global warming has been absorbed by the ocean, leading to a 50% increase in surface marine heat waves in the past decade.
There is little or no evidence of warming at the surface when the bottom marine heat waves occur, & they can last longer than surface heat waves.
There are devastating impacts caused by these heat waves on key species such as lobster, cod, & other commercial fish.
There are devastating impacts caused by these heat waves on key species such as lobster, cod, & other commercial fish.
Bottom marine heat waves affect the habitats of commercial species located in the shallow depths & relative proximity to land on continental shelves.
Some of the impacts caused by unusually warm bottom water temperatures are an invasive lionfish population, coral bleaching, & decline of reef fish.
The frequency of marine heat waves has increased by 50% over the past ten years, & their impacts on the seafloor are not well understood.
Existing measurements used by scientists to stimulate atmospheric conditions & ocean currents to "fill in the blanks" for difficult-to-access seafloor ecosystems are quite useful.
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