We are learning how joined up the fundamentals of nature are. The Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities has published a report showing how upper ocean warming is causing stronger waves. In fact, wave power has increased by O.4% per year since 1948, or by 28% in total over 70 years.
Link between Wave Power and Upper Ocean Warming
The study published on January 14, 2019 in Nature Communications reports a ‘direct association’ between ocean warming and wave energy increase. Moreover, this is happening in tandem with rising sea levels, increasing global temperatures, and declining sea ice.
Marine scientists have previously noted increased wind speeds and wave heights in the high latitudes of both hemispheres. The new study has focused more on the energy in ocean waves. This transmits from the wind and transforms into wave motion. The researchers have established this wave power has been increasing in direct association with concurrent upper ocean warming at the surface.
Upper Ocean Warming Influencing Wind Patterns
Furthermore, the scientists have concluded warming oceans are affecting wind patterns globally. This in turn produces stronger ocean waves. Thus we have further proof the fundamentals of nature are joined up, and we tamper with them at our peril.
“For the first time, we have identified a global signal of the effect of global warming in wave climate. In fact, wave power has increased globally by 0.4 percent per year since 1948,” says lead report author Borja Reguero. “Moreover this growth correlates with increasing sea-surface temperatures, both globally and by ocean regions.” Therefore this study has profound impacts on coastal defenses.
Furthermore the effects of the stronger waves compound, as ice melts and sea levels gradually rise. The effects are greatest during winter storm seasons. The winter of 2013-14 which impacted the west coast of Europe is a noteworthy example. As was the devastating 2017 hurricane season in the Caribbean, the study concludes.
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