2023/08/01 by Yuting Feng, Brandon J. Bethel, Yuan Tian +7 · 1 voice
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Coral and Marine Ecosystems Studies #Oceanographic and Atmospheric Processes #Tropical and Extratropical Cyclones Research
paper · doi:10.1016/j.accre.2023.08.006
openalex publication_date 2023/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
There is the current lack of comprehensive understanding of the hotspots, frequency, duration, spatiotemporal trends, and physical drivers of marine heatwaves (MHWs) within the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Here, a series of high-resolution satellite and reanalysis products are used to examine their spatiotemporal characteristics, trends, and possible geophysical triggers of MHWs. Possible impacts of the MHW on coral reefs are also discussed. Results reveal an increasing trend in their frequency, duration, and intensities from 1983–2021, particularly after 2016. It identifies MHWs hotspots within the GoM, notably the northern and western shelves and the Loop Current. The study further documents an intense MHW event from late 2020 to early 2021 within the latitude range of 17.5°–24°N, attributing its development to oceanic processes such as anticyclonic eddies and current-driven heat transport. The occurrence of this MHW event potentially increased thermal stress on the Campeche and Tuxtlas Reef Systems. This research illuminates the increasing trends and impacts of MHWs in the GoM, providing valuable insights for understanding and predicting the effects of climate change on marine ecosystems.