Ocean surface temperatures hit 70°F this month, possibly Holocene high
Ocean surface temperatures hit 70 degrees Fahrenheit this month, making it a possible new high for the entire Holocene period, and possibly even as far back as the last Interglacial 125,000 years ago, Ryan Katz-Rosene said in a tweet.
Scientists say this spike is due to a "super" El Nino adding heat to the system on top of decades of human-driven climate change.
Warmer oceans aren't just a record: they're likely to bring more storms and heavy rain soon.
Nearly half the world's oceans warming
Right now, nearly half the world's oceans are experiencing marine heatwaves, which means they're struggling to absorb carbon dioxide and help cool the planet.
As C3S researcher Samantha Burgess puts it, this is "a clear signal of an ocean under growing stress."
Experts are urging quick action to cut fossil fuel emissions and protect marine life before things get worse.