Research: Average sea temperature hit record for 100 days

A US research institute says the average global sea surface temperature hit a daily record high for 100 straight days.

Climate Central analyzes sea surface temperatures across the world, excluding polar regions in and around the Antarctic and the Arctic, based on data from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA.

The group released the results of its latest analysis on Thursday. It said preliminary figures show that the average sea surface temperature set the daily records from June 2 this year.

The researchers pointed out that the current sea surface temperature is about 1 degree Celsius higher than the average between 1982 and 2010. They said more than 90 percent of the excessive heat generated by global warming is absorbed by the ocean, leading to the rise.

The group said the currently developing El Nino phenomenon is also contributing to record-breaking ocean temperatures. It predicted the situation could continue until next year.

The researchers said if sea surface temperatures remain high, that will affect the marine ecosystem, causing coral bleaching and mass deaths of fish. They also said torrential rains and typhoons will become even more intense.

They noted that marine heatwaves, or high ocean temperatures over a prolonged period of time, in 2023 and 2024 contributed to record-breaking heatwaves and severe flooding in Japan.

The group said it is necessary to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to curb the rise in sea surface temperatures.