World's oceans record warmest at unusual time of year

TT

Published 09.40

  

A parrotfish swims past dead coral. Archive photo. Photo: Wilfredo Lee/AP/TT

The average sea surface temperature has passed 21.1 degrees. It has not been this warm for a long time.

The record was broken on August 21, according to the EU's climate service Copernicus, whose data series outside the poles extends from 1979. What stands out is that the temperature is so high despite the fact that global sea temperatures usually peak in March. The temperature is marginally higher than the previous record from March 1, 2024.

A combination of climate change and a growing El Niño is the cause.

Scientists are somewhat uncertain about historical sea temperatures, but studies indicate that it may have last been this warm 125,000 years ago.

Marine heatwaves hit animals and plants hard. Warm water also expands, contributing to higher sea levels.