Scientists: Extreme Marine Heatwave Lurks off UK, Irish Coasts

story
Image copyright: Gabriel Barathieu [via Wikimedia Commons]

The Facts

  • Scientists warn that an “unheard of” marine heatwave off the coasts of the UK and Ireland poses a serious threat to marine species.

  • Water temperatures in the North Atlantic Ocean are up to 4°C higher than usual for this time of year, with the US’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) designating the weather event as a "Category 4 Extreme Heatwave."

Show more

The Spin

Narrative A

The extreme weather of this marine heatwave shows the destructive power of human-caused climate change. If this continues throughout the summer, many species of marine life off the coasts of Ireland and England may die.

TheJournal.ie

Narrative B

While hot waters off the coasts of Ireland and England may lead to marine life die-offs, they may also potentially cause an influx of basking sharks and stingrays. The marine ecosystem may adjust but there is a possibility of more biodiversity being brought into the region as patterns shift.

The Telegraph

Metaculus Prediction