Scientists have uncovered the biggest mass die-off of a single species in the modern era, with 4 million common murre (Uria aalge) being wiped out by a brutal marine heat wave known as "the Blob" that lasted for about two years between 2014 and 2016.
These seabirds, often likened to flying penguins because of their striking black-and-white plumage, once crowded rocky shores, dived into frigid waters for fish, and nested in bustling colonies. But now, their vibrant presence has faded, revealing a stark vulnerability.
