Marine Heat Wave:
Researchers found that marine heat waves (MHWs) deep in oceans may be “significantly under-reported” and caused by ocean currents.
- A marine heat wave is an extreme weather event.
- It occurs when the surface temperature of a particular region of the sea rises to 3 or 4 degree Celsius above the average temperature for at least five days.
- MHWs can last for weeks, months or even years, according to the US government’s agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
- MHWs are prolonged temperature events that can cause severe damage to marine habitats, such as impacts to coral reefs and species displacement.
- These events are becoming more frequent due to global warming, with notable occurrences off Australia’s East Coast and Tasmania, as well as the northeast Pacific coast and North Atlantic.
- Higher ocean temperatures, which are associated with MHWs, can make storms like hurricanes and tropical cyclones stronger.
- MHWs also fuel the growth of invasive alien species, which can be destructive to marine food webs.
- When storms travel across hot oceans, they gather more water vapour and heat.
- This results in more powerful winds, heavier rainfall and more flooding when storms reach the land — meaning heightened devastation for humans.
