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Marine heat waves may become more intense, frequent: study

  • Posted By
    10Pointer
  • Categories
    Environment
  • Published
    1st Feb, 2021

The mixed layer of the ocean loss may lead to more frequent and destructive warming events such as marine heat waves, as per a recent study.

Context

The mixed layer of the ocean loss may lead to more frequent and destructive warming events such as marine heat waves, as per a recent study.

What is mixed layer of the ocean?

  • It blankets the top 20 to 200 metres.
  • It is becoming thinner each year.
  • The continued loss of this buffer may lead to more frequent and destructive warming events such as marine heat waves.
  • The thickness of this top layer of the ocean is responsible for marine heat events.
  • The thicker this mixed layer, the more it can act as a buffer to shield the waters below from incoming hot air.

What could be the impacts of the thinning of the layer?

  • It might lose the ability to predict annual ocean surface temperatures.
  • The thinning of this layer causing the oceans to become more susceptible to rapid swings in temperature.
  • Marine heatwaves will be more intense and happen more often in the future.

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