The rapid acceleration of ocean temperatures in the last month is an anomaly that scientists have yet to explain. Data collated by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), known as the Optimum Interpolation Sea Surface Temperature (OISST) series, gathered by satellites and buoys, has shown temperatures higher than in any previous year, in a series stretching back to 1981, continuously over the past 42 days.
The world is thought to be on the brink of an El Niño weather event this year - a cyclical weather system in the Pacific that has a warming impact globally. But the El Niño system is yet to develop, so this oscillation cannot explain the recent rapid heating at a time of year when ocean temperatures are normally declining.
Prof Mike Meredith of the British Antarctic Survey told the Guardian: "This has got scientists scratching their heads. The fact that it is warming as much as it has been is a real surprise, and very concerning. It could be a short-lived extreme high, or it could be the start of something much more serious."
Denne historien er fra April 27, 2023-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra April 27, 2023-utgaven av The Guardian.
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'A taboo has been broken' Politicians' praise for giving voice to victims
Politicians from France and beyond have hailed Gisèle Pelicot's bravery and called the trial of the men who raped and abused her historic, while feminist groups have stressed there is still a long way to go and demanded fundamental changes to France's sexual abuse laws.
Day of the verdicts Inside, men wept as they were convicted. Outside, the crowd roared with relief
Inside, men wept as they were convicted. Outside, the crowd roared with relief
Cold cases Investigations into murder and sexual assaults in 90s reopened
Dominique Pelicot, who has been jailed for 20 years for drugging his then wife, Gisele Pelicot, and inviting men to rape her, faces a further investigation for the rape and murder of an estate agent in Paris in 1991, and an attempted rape in 1999, amid questions over whether he could have been a serial offender for decades.
Theatre review Space opera puts Sigourney Weaver in alien territory
Sigourney Weaver, the latest in the line of high-status screen stars to be wooed to the stage by the director Jamie Lloyd, may forever be known as Ellen Ripley to fans of her defining science-fiction role on film. She is certainly in alien territory here, and plays Prospero with the steely-voiced conviction of a commander giving urgent instruction to an interstellar space crew at imminent risk of attack.
Och AI: algorithm able to sniff out aromas of US and Scottish whiskies
Notch up another win for artificial intelligence. Researchers have used the technology to predict the major notes that waft off whisky and determine whether a dram was made in the US or Scotland.
Mandelson set to be named UK's new ambassador to US
Peter Mandelson is set to become Britain's next ambassador to the US, the first time a politician has been appointed to the role for almost half a century.
Gisèle Pelicot: 'I wanted all of society to be a witness'
Fifty one men found guilty in rape trial that shocked the world | Leaders and public honour the woman who refused to be shamed
Postecoglou claims coach's life is harder than being PM
A Premier League manager has a tougher job than the prime minister, according to Ange Postecoglou.
Rashford rebuked Players must talk to manager not media - Amorim
Ruben Amorim has said when he was a player he would have spoken to his manager about being dropped rather than react in the media, as Marcus Rashford has done.
Tonali double puts rampant Newcastle into last four
A sticking plaster for Newcastle's internal tensions or a potential long-term cure for their problems? Whatever the reality Eddie Howe's inconsistent team are a two-leg semi-final away from a potentially transformative Wembley showpiece after two stellar first-half goals from Sandro Tonali and another from Fabian Schär undid an immensely disappointing Brentford on Tyneside.
