In 2023, global marine heatwaves were the biggest, most intense and most persistent on record, a new study reveals. The researchers suggest that these heat waves were driven by climate change and may signal a climate tipping point.
Global marine heatwaves (MHWs) are prolonged periods of unexpectedly warm ocean temperatures. These warm periods can critically threaten marine ecosystems, for instance by leading to coral bleaching and mass marine die offs, and can cause economic challenges by disrupting fisheries and aquaculture. While it's widely accepted that human-driven climate change is making MHWs more destructive, little is known about the ocean dynamics behind the phenomenon.
