Articles tagged with Ocean Temperature
The Arctic sea ice extent fell to 1.67 million square miles in September 2011, the second lowest recorded since satellites began measuring it in 1979. Scientists attribute this decline to rising temperatures caused by human-produced greenhouse gases, which is expected to lead to ice-free summers by around 2030 or 2040.
A magnitude-7.3 earthquake in 2009 devastated the Belizean Barrier Reef, causing widespread destruction and killing off dominant coral species. The reef's recovery is unlikely due to previous losses and the need for improved management of reef resources, including consideration of extreme events.
A team of scientists predicts that Earth's climate has undergone rapid transitions over the last 800,000 years, with evidence from ancient snow layers and volcanic eruptions. The study extends the current 100,000-year record to create a new testing ground for climate models.
A new study found that Florida's reefs suffered unprecedented losses of coral species during the 2010 cold weather event, with coral tissue mortality reaching over 40%. This was particularly devastating for shallow and near-shore reefs, where large colonies were hardest hit.
Scientists used a computer-generated global climate model to show that polar sea ice can recover if the planet cools again, even if it's completely lost due to warming. The research suggests that there is no 'tipping point' beyond which the ice cannot recover.
Warmer cloud top temperatures suggest a decrease in cloud heights and storm energy for Tropical Storm Eugene. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached near 65 mph on August 5.
Tropical Storm Muifa has grown in size, with cloud top temperatures indicating strong storms and heavy rainfall. The storm is expected to strengthen over the next couple of days as it moves north across the Pacific.
The tenth tropical depression has formed in the western North Pacific Ocean, bringing rains to the central Philippines as observed on infrared imagery from NASA's Aqua satellite. The system is moving northwest at 9 knots and is expected to slowly intensify over the next two days, making landfall northeast of Hong Kong later this week.
A new Australian study found a 40% decrease in summer snowfall over the last 20 years, leading to faster Arctic ice melt. The reduction in snow cover exposes sea ice to sunlight, increasing its melting rate and causing it to become thinner and less extensive.
Tropical Storm Meari is a stronger storm with maximum sustained winds near 55 knots, expected to make landfall in southwestern North Korea on June 26. Forecasters anticipate rough surf and heavy rainfall along the Yellow Sea as Meari tracks through.
A new study suggests that widespread urban development can lead to reduced nighttime winds and increased air pollution in coastal cities. Researchers found that paved surfaces absorb heat, reducing the temperature contrast between land and sea, and causing stagnation. This can result in a buildup of pollutants during warm summer weather.
Research finds that paved surfaces in cities like Houston can lead to stagnant air and increased pollution by altering wind patterns. By adding parks and lakes, cities may be able to improve air quality by blowing away pollutants.
Research published in Science finds that early ACC development impacted global climate, causing significant temperature differences between the equator and Antarctica. The study suggests that the ACC's formation led to the modern ocean structure and heat distribution system.
The study reveals South Georgia's unparalleled biodiversity, with over 1445 species recorded from 17,000 specimens. The region's near-surface waters are experiencing rapid warming, making conservation efforts crucial to monitor future changes and protect this unique ecosystem.
The GOES-13 satellite captured images of a powerful weather system that triggered severe weather in the southern US, resulting in 243 tornadoes across 13 states. The National Weather Service confirmed EF3 and EF2 tornadoes with wind speeds up to 160mph, causing widespread damage and power outages.
Tropical Depression Errol is weakening due to land-crossing and increasing wind shear, with cloud-top temperatures warming and indicating lower thunderstorm heights. NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared images showing the depression's reduced convection and expected dissipation in the Southern Indian Ocean.
The new miniature sensors, developed by University of Southampton researchers, can measure ocean temperature and salinity with high precision. The sensors will be tested on an expedition from Australia to Mauritius, providing valuable information about climate change.
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography found evidence of ancient 'hyperthermals' - sudden global warming events that occurred tens of thousands of years ago, with impacts on marine life and ocean circulation.
Researchers discovered a direct link between Late Ordovician mass extinction and cooling climate, contradicting previous theories. They used new paleothermometer method to determine average temperatures during glacial periods, marking the first time overcoming ice-volume effect for ancient ocean analysis.
The Malaspina 2010 expedition aims to assess the impact of global change on the ocean and explore its biodiversity. Over 250 researchers will study temperature, salinity, and nutrient concentration in various ocean regions.
Researchers found that porous marine particles settle in stratified layers, releasing carbon dioxide through diffusion, affecting global carbon fluxes. This discovery could improve estimates of ocean carbon exports.
Researchers identified coral reefs in the Bahamas that are less stressed by rising sea temperatures, providing a hopeful strategy for conservation. The study suggests that specific geographic locations can better withstand climate change impacts, making them ideal candidates for marine reserves.
Researchers at Harvard University have made significant breakthroughs in methane-fueled solid-oxide fuel cells, reducing operating temperatures and costs. The development of platinum-free micro-SOFCs could enable the use of methane as a fuel source for laptops and portable electronics.
A new study suggests that current climate change targets are unsafe, as global temperatures appear to be comparable to projections for the end of this century. The analysis of geological records reveals that sea levels will rise significantly higher than anticipated, with a rate of rise more than double recent observations.
Researchers suggest that detecting neutrinos and gravity waves can independently confirm the presence of dark matter in the sun. Current detectors, such as Borexino and SNO, will be able to measure the sun's core temperature with precision.
A team of 300 scientists and students from 14 countries drilled over 1.5 miles into the North Greenland ice sheet, recovering ice from the Eemian interglacial period. The cores will provide crucial information on past temperatures and greenhouse gas concentrations, helping to predict future climate change.
A recent study suggests the Arctic climate system may be more sensitive to greenhouse warming than previously thought. The researchers used three independent methods to measure Pliocene temperatures on Ellesmere Island, finding that CO2 levels of approximately 400 parts per million can produce mean annual temperatures in the High Arcti...
Tropical Storm 02A has strong thunderstorms with maximum sustained winds near 45 knots (52 mph) and wind- and wave-heights up to 15 feet. The storm is moving into the Gulf of Aden, where it's expected to strengthen briefly before weakening due to wind shear.
Scientists found widespread global contamination of sea sand and seawater with BPA from hard plastic trash and epoxy paint. The biodegradation of hard plastics releases BPA, posing risks to marine life in low concentrations.
Researchers examined erosion rates along a Scandinavian Ice Sheet margin over the past 2.7 million years, finding higher delivery rates for the most recent 600,000 years. In another study, ancient river sediments preserved records of California's topography and climate during intense global warming 50 million years ago.
Two female leatherback turtles, Noelle and Darwinia, have traveled 800 miles between them since December 2009. The researchers aim to use their data to inform management of fisheries and protect key areas from industrial fishing and oil exploitation.
A new study finds that Earth's polar ice sheets are susceptible to significant melting under moderate global warming scenarios, potentially leading to a 6-9 meter sea level rise. This could result in permanent submersion of low-lying coastal areas and hundreds of millions of people being displaced.
Researchers found features in rocks from the Buck Reef Chert that suggest water temperatures were significantly lower than previous studies had suggested, making conditions for life easier. This discovery could change our understanding of the earliest forms of life on Earth and potentially reveal new ways to study the planet's history.
Tropical Cyclone 4A has developed with maximum sustained winds near 37 mph, moving north at 13 mph over the Arabian Sea. High-powered thunderstorms are expected to continue intensifying as the storm moves north and makes landfall east of the India-Pakistan border.
A study by NOAA researchers found that about half of 36 fish stocks in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean have shifted northward over the last four decades, with some nearly disappearing from U.S. waters as they move farther offshore. Fish species are adapting to changing temperatures by moving to cooler or deeper waters.
Hurricane Neki's strong winds and heavy rainfall threaten the Papahanaumokuakea National Monument, home to rare species such as the green sea turtle and Hawaiian monk seal. The storm is expected to weaken as it heads into cooler waters, but high seas pose a concern for the smaller islands within the monument.
Tropical Storm Neki formed near Johnston Island with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph; forecasters predict strengthening into a hurricane as it moves northwest, passing close to the island on October 21.
Tropical Storm Parma is expected to linger off the northwest coast of Luzon for five days, bringing showers and gusty winds to the northern Philippines and Taiwan. The storm's slow movement is due to a lack of wind pushing it west into the South China Sea.
A new study reveals Arctic temperatures have reversed from a long-term cooling trend, becoming the warmest they've been in at least 2,000 years. The reversal is attributed to human-generated greenhouse gases overwhelming the natural climate system.
New research shows that pannes in New England salt marshes are sensitive to temperature increases and may be driven to local and regional extinction. The plants in these waterlogged zones respond by growing more initially but then dying off, making way for invasive species like Spartina patens.
Scientists have successfully mapped emperor penguin breeding colonies in Antarctica using satellite images, providing a reliable indication of their location through visible guano stains. The study identified 38 colonies, with 10 new discoveries, and will enable researchers to monitor population changes over time.
Researchers at UBC found that warmer, more acidic waters enable Purple Ochre Sea Stars to grow twice as fast as normal over 10 weeks. This discovery complicates current assumptions about climate change's impact on marine species.
A study published in Biological Conservation reveals that a nesting population of leatherback sea turtles in Gabon has the world's largest female population of between 15,730 and 41,373. The research highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect these critically endangered turtles.
Researchers identify bacteria responsible for yellow band disease, a bacterial infection that sickens coral colonies and kills photosynthetic symbionts. Warmer temperatures exacerbate the disease's virulence, posing a grim prognosis for corals and their spread.
A new marine-based reconstruction shows that the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) has become more variable over the past century, swinging wildly between cold and warm periods. The research suggests that climate warming is linked to this increased variability, with potential implications for extreme weather events and droughts.
Researchers have tagged one male and two female leatherback turtles off Cape Cod, the first time these elusive giants have been tracked in New England. The satellites will provide real-time tracking data to better understand their behavior and habitat.
Researchers reconstructed proteins from ancient bacteria to measure the Earth's temperature over billions of years, revealing a massive cooling period between 500 million and 3.5 billion years ago. This study provides insight into how life adapted to the changing environment during the Precambrian period.
Researchers studied a diverted Death Valley stream to understand the effects of climate change on river flooding and erosion. The unique opportunity provided by the 1941 diversion allowed scientists to observe changes in the creek's behavior over time, revealing the impact of altered water flow on geological processes.
NASA researchers found that 2007 was tied with 1998 for the second-warmest year on record, with significant warming in the Arctic region. The study used temperature data from various sources and confirmed a strong trend of global warming over the past 30 years.
The University of Miami Rosenstiel School has launched a new lab to study the effects of climate change on corals, using controlled temperature and carbon dioxide conditions. The lab aims to understand how corals will respond to increased ocean acidity and warming in the next 50-100 years.
A new study suggests that irrigation may not cool the globe in the future, contrary to previous findings. The research team analyzed temperature and irrigation trends in California's Central Valley and found a clear cooling effect in agricultural areas, but one that has recently slowed down.
New research finds that cold-blooded Antarctic marine animals, such as the limpet, cannot efficiently grow or increase growth rates in warmer water. This suggests they may struggle to cope with predicted temperature increases, potentially affecting biodiversity.
A University of Utah study reveals that temperature differences within Earth's crust and upper mantle explain about half of North America's elevation. Coastal cities, including New York City and Boston, would be underwater if not for the buoyant effect of heat on rock, with elevations ranging from 1,427 to 3,756 feet below sea level.
Researchers warn that global warming is forcing gannets to search further afield for food, leaving their chicks vulnerable to attack. The birds' breeding success is declining as they compensate by flying faster, but their speed limit has been reached.
The Medusa hydrothermal vent field, discovered off Costa Rica, features hot iron-darkened water attracting unusual marine life. Researchers have found pink jellyfish, spiky tubeworm casings, and heat-tolerant organisms thriving in extreme conditions.
The Arctic sea-ice extent in March 2007 was the second lowest on satellite record, at 5.7 million square miles. Researchers attribute declining sea ice to rising greenhouse gases and strong natural variability.
Researchers argue that calculating a global temperature is mathematically impossible due to the complexity of the Earth's climate system. The concept relies on averaging multiple temperatures from different locations, which can lead to misleading conclusions about climate trends.
Researchers calculated the probability of periodicity in climate shifts, finding that they hit a beat 70% of the time. Simulations showed that if climate shifts were truly random, the actual regularity would likely be lower, making them unpredictable.
Glaciologist Lonnie Thompson warns that the Qori Kalis glacier in Peru may disappear within five years, with other ice tongues retreating globally. The Quelccaya Ice Cap, the largest body of ice in the tropics, is experiencing a slow but accelerating retreat, exceeding any other in at least 50 centuries.
Research reveals that warmer waters cause a deficiency in oxygen uptake and distribution, limiting fish populations. This study investigates the effect of water temperature on eelpout (Zoarces viviparus) physiology, showing a direct link between oxygen limitation and population density changes.