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Climate Crisis Has Tripled Duration of Marine Heatwaves: Study

A new peer-reviewed study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) has found that marine heatwaves, periods of abnormally high sea temperatures, last three times longer than they did a century ago. These heatwaves, primarily driven by human-induced climate change, are heating up faster and lingering longer, with increasingly severe consequences for marine ecosystems and coastal communities.

Dr. Marta Marcos, lead author of the study and a climate scientist at the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, said the results clearly show a growing influence of human activity on the world’s oceans. “We find that about half of the marine heatwave days observed in the last two decades would not have occurred without human influence,” she added.

Longer, More Frequent, and Hotter Events

The research team analysed more than a century of ocean temperature data and model simulations to distinguish natural variability from human-driven warming. Their findings show that marine heat waves happen more often today, last about three times longer, and reach higher temperature anomalies.

“These results are consistent with a growing scientific consensus,” Dr. Marcos said. “We are now able to clearly detect the anthropogenic signal in these events, particularly in the last 20 years.”

The study revealed that marine heatwaves in recent decades have reached 1°C above normal on average, with some regions, primarily the Mediterranean, experiencing temperature spikes of up to 5°C above average. These elevated temperatures have significant implications for ocean life.

Severe Ecological Consequences

Marine heatwaves threaten biodiversity, especially in fragile ecosystems like coral reefs, kelp forests, and seagrass meadows. These habitats are sensitive to prolonged temperature stress, resulting in mass bleaching, die-offs, and disruptions to marine food chains.

While the study focused primarily on climate data, Marcos stressed the urgency of these findings for conservation efforts. “Although our work does not assess biological impacts directly, we know from other research that these heatwaves can have devastating consequences on marine life,” she explained.

The changing temperature regime affects fish migration patterns, reproduction cycles, and even commercial fisheries, threatening the livelihoods of communities that depend on the ocean for sustenance and economic activity.

Regional Impacts and the Human Cost

The study highlighted the Mediterranean as one of the most impacted regions, experiencing more frequent and more intense heatwaves than the global average. This makes it a critical zone for monitoring future changes and preparing for ecological disruptions.

Marcos noted that the Mediterranean “has already experienced some of the most intense marine heatwaves recorded” and is a window into the future for other ocean basins. “It’s a hotspot for warming,” she said.

The cascading effects of these heatwaves can also influence weather patterns, such as intensified storms or changes in rainfall, although this study did not examine those links directly.

Call for Climate Action

Dr. Marcos emphasised that while marine heatwaves are already increasing due to historical emissions, the future trajectory depends on how quickly global emissions are reduced. Limiting global warming will be essential to curbing further ocean heating and protecting marine ecosystems.

“These marine heatwaves are just one of the many symptoms of a planet under stress,” she said. “If we want to slow down or prevent the worst of these events, we need urgent action on climate.”

The researchers hope their findings will guide policymakers in adopting more aggressive emission reduction targets and investing in marine resilience programs. Better ocean monitoring systems and climate models can help in early detection and mitigation planning.

References:

https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2413505122

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/14/climate-crisis-has-tripled-length-of-deadly-ocean-heatwaves-study-finds

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Vivek Saini
Vivek Saini
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