2024-03-01 22:50:09
The surface of the world’s oceans has never been so warm, according to figures published at the end of February by the US National Atmospheric and Oceanic Agency (NOAA): 21.13°C exactly on average, surpassing the previous record ‘August 2023. And the overheating sea is very bad news because it can accelerate the melting of ice, the rise in sea levels and seriously affect maritime fauna and flora.
Published on: 01/03/2024 – 23:50
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While this phenomenon is called a “thermal anomaly “, the problem drags on. Since spring 2023the average surface temperature of the world’s oceans has entered unknown territory, far exceeding what was previously observed, with even an absolute record of 21.13°C on February 27.
The causes are multiple. Firstly, global warming, which is superimposed on the El Niño phenomenon in the Pacific. But the Atlantic is also abnormally warmpartly due to weak winds and less than usual upwelling of cold water from depths.
A warmer ocean is an ocean that accelerates the melting of polar ice, warm water also takes up more space than cold water and all of this contributes to the acceleration of the rise in water levels. With this increase in temperature, water also evaporates more strongly, which therefore leads to more clouds full of humidity, which can then lead to more intense rain.
The phenomenon is also not without consequences for oceanic fauna and flora. Coral bleaching is the best-known example, but all marine life is affected, from fish to birds.
The American agency NOAA has published a map showing the points in the oceans subject to “thermal anomalies”. © NOAA
Read alsoOcean acidification: a new planetary limit soon to be crossed
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