Researchers found that marine heat waves (MHWs) deep in oceans may be “significantly under-reported” and caused by ocean currents.
About Marine Heat Wave:
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).
Impacts
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.
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