Ocean waters off California's coast are warming, particularly in Southern California. An unprecedented marine heatwave affected the West Coast in recent years, leading to significant impacts on marine ecosystems. This warming trend is concerning for the delicate balance of marine life that relies on cooler waters to thrive.
During normal conditions in the Pacific Ocean, trade winds blow west along the equator, taking warm water from South America towards Asia. However, with rising global temperatures, these trade winds are shifting, leading to changes in ocean temperatures along the West Coast of the United States.
Satellite images show the strong Pineapple Express atmospheric river as it barrels from the Pacific Ocean toward the West Coast. This atmospheric river brings with it warm, moist air that can contribute to higher temperatures and altered weather patterns in the region.
The 2021 summer upwelling season off the United States Pacific Northwest coast was unusually strong, leading to widespread near-bottom, cold, nutrient-rich waters rising to the surface. While upwelling can benefit marine ecosystems by bringing nutrients to the surface, it can also exacerbate the effects of warming ocean temperatures.
The West Coast may boast larger waves, but the East Coast makes up for smaller waves with increased consistency. However, both coasts are facing the impacts of climate change on their ocean ecosystems, with rising sea levels, ocean acidification, and changes in marine biodiversity.
Explore the dynamic landscape of coastal cities in the United States for 2024, spanning the East Coast, West Coast, Gulf Coast, and more. These cities are on the front lines of climate change, facing the challenges of rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
Shippers are grappling with the ongoing Red Sea conflict and pending East Coast labor contract renewal as demand is poised for growth at West Coast ports. These ports are critical hubs for global trade, and any disruptions due to climate-related events or labor disputes can have far-reaching impacts on the economy.
By Lisa Baertlein LOS ANGELES, Feb 14 (Reuters) – West Coast ports are seeing minimal impact from militant attacks and drought that are affecting other regions. However, the long-term effects of climate change on ocean temperatures and sea levels could pose significant challenges for these ports in the future.
The Ring of Fire is a string of volcanoes and sites of seismic activity, or earthquakes, around the edges of the Pacific Ocean. This geologically active region is a reminder of the forces at play beneath the surface of the ocean, shaping the landscape and ecosystems along the West Coast and beyond.
