New study finds heat is being stored beneath the ocean surface

[OKIsItJustMe]

4. Oceans slowed global temperature rise, scientists report

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/oceans-slowed-global-temperature-rise-scientists-report

[font face=Serif][font size=5]Oceans slowed global temperature rise, scientists report[/font]

[font size=4]Heat trapped below the surface will begin moving up kicking off a warming cycle[/font]

Carol Rasmussen | July 16, 2015


The study included direct measurements of ocean temperatures from the global array of 3,500 Argo floats and other ocean sensors.

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During the 20th century, as greenhouse gas concentrations increased and trapped more heat on Earth, global surface temperatures also increased. However, starting in the early 2000s though greenhouse gases continued to trap extra heat, the global average surface temperature stopped climbing for about a decade and even cooled a bit.

In the study, researchers analyzed direct ocean temperature measurements, including observations from a global network of about 3,500 ocean temperature probes known as the Argo array. These measurements show temperatures below the surface have been increasing.

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Cooler surface temperatures also are related to a climatic pattern called the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, which moves in a 20- to 30-year cycle. It has been in a cool phase during the entire time surface temperatures showed cooling, bringing cooler-than-normal water to the eastern Pacific and warmer water to the western side. There currently are signs the pattern may be changing, with observations showing warmer-than-usual water in the eastern Pacific.

"Given the fact the Pacific Decadal Oscillation seems to be shifting to a warm phase, ocean heating in the Pacific will definitely drive a major surge in global surface warming," Nieves said.

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http://www.sciencemag.org/content/early/2015/07/08/science.aaa4521.full?sid=56208817-c056-4495-bc78-a329e65533cb