Vertical structures of marine heatwaves

Marine heatwaves (MHWs), periods of anomalously high ocean temperatures, significantly impact marine and socio-economic systems. This study utilizes Argo profiles to identify four MHW types based on their vertical structures: shallow, subsurface-reversed, subsurface-intensified, and deep MHWs. These types exhibit distinct spatial distributions, influenced by ocean dynamics such as planetary waves, currents, eddies, and mixing. The area and depth of all MHW types show increasing trends over the past two decades, highlighting the importance of understanding their physical drivers and ecological consequences in a warming climate.

Ying Zhang, Yan Du, Ming Feng, Alistair J. Hobday