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Bottom marine heatwaves along the continental shelves of North America

Author

Listed:
  • Dillon J. Amaya

    (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

  • Michael G. Jacox

    (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

  • Michael A. Alexander

    (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

  • James D. Scott

    (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    University of Colorado Boulder campus)

  • Clara Deser

    (National Center for Atmospheric Research)

  • Antonietta Capotondi

    (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
    University of Colorado Boulder campus)

  • Adam S. Phillips

    (National Center for Atmospheric Research)

Abstract

Recently, there has been substantial effort to understand the fundamental characteristics of warm ocean temperature extremes—known as marine heatwaves (MHWs). However, MHW research has primarily focused on the surface signature of these events. While surface MHWs (SMHW) can have dramatic impacts on marine ecosystems, extreme warming along the seafloor can also have significant biological outcomes. In this study, we use a high-resolution (~8 km) ocean reanalysis to broadly assess bottom marine heatwaves (BMHW) along the continental shelves of North America. We find that BMHW intensity and duration varies strongly with bottom depth, with typical intensities ranging from ~0.5 °C–3 °C. Further, BMHWs can be more intense and persist longer than SMHWs. While BMHWs and SMHWs often co-occur, BMHWs can also exist without a SMHW. Deeper regions in which the mixed layer does not typically reach the seafloor exhibit less synchronicity between BMHWs and SMHWs.

Suggested Citation

  • Dillon J. Amaya & Michael G. Jacox & Michael A. Alexander & James D. Scott & Clara Deser & Antonietta Capotondi & Adam S. Phillips, 2023. "Bottom marine heatwaves along the continental shelves of North America," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-36567-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36567-0
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    1. Xiuwen Guo & Yang Gao & Shaoqing Zhang & Wenju Cai & Deliang Chen & L. Ruby Leung & Jakob Zscheischler & Luanne Thompson & Kristen Davis & Binglin Qu & Huiwang Gao & Lixin Wu, 2024. "Intensification of future subsurface marine heatwaves in an eddy-resolving model," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.

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