Bottom marine heatwaves along the continental shelves of North America

Dillon J. Amaya (), Michael G. Jacox, Michael A. Alexander, James D. Scott, Clara Deser, Antonietta Capotondi and Adam S. Phillips
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Dillon J. Amaya: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Michael G. Jacox: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Michael A. Alexander: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
James D. Scott: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Clara Deser: National Center for Atmospheric Research
Antonietta Capotondi: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Adam S. Phillips: National Center for Atmospheric Research

Nature Communications, 2023, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36567-0

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