Scientists are very worried, because the El Niño phenomenon is starting, during which the average temperature of the sea waters will rise.
Oceanographers discovered in mid-March that the average temperature of the seas rose higher than at any time during the time that reliable statistics have been kept. They tell about it, for example news channel CNN (you will switch to another service) and a newspaper Washington Post (you will switch to another service).
The average temperature of sea waters has been rising for the past four years, which has surprised scientists, because the oceans have been experiencing the La Niña phenomenon, which cools the waters.
However, the temperature of the Earth’s climate has continuously risen to new heat records, which is reflected in the temperature of the sea water.
Marine scientists are very worried about the development, because the La Niña phenomenon is now turning into the opposite, that is, the El Niño phenomenon. During El Niño, water temperatures rise above average.
The warming of the seas also accelerates global warming, which leads to more severe heat waves, dangerous hurricanes and, for example, the destruction of coral reefs.
Scientists are now trying to predict the strength of the next En Niño. According to some models, it is becoming usual, while some predict an extremely strong weather phenomenon.
La Niña and El Niño are natural phenomena. They are felt especially in the Pacific Ocean, but also in other large seas.
More on the topic:
NOAA pages of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (you go to another service)with which El Niño and La Niña phenomena are investigated.