oceans

Scientists are tracking a slow-moving, planetary-scale Kelvin wave in the Pacific that is heading toward the California coast. The ocean phenomenon could raise sea levels along the coast by up to a foot, with El Niño conditions keeping warm water trapped near the shoreline. Observers are watching for increased coastal flooding and erosion risks as the wave arrives.

Hurricane Polo is being reported as one of the strongest storms ever recorded, with El Niño conditions credited for intensifying it. The claim is circulating widely as attention focuses on how unusually warm ocean waters are powering exceptionally powerful storms this season.

The United States is facing severe storms on opposite coasts at the same time, a pattern being attributed to the strength of the current El Niño. The climate phenomenon, driven by unusually warm Pacific Ocean waters, is influencing weather systems nationwide, with heavy storms hitting both the East and West coasts simultaneously and drawing attention to El Niño's far-reaching impact.

Attention is turning to an El Niño event being described as unlike anything previously recorded. Commentators warn the pattern could bring record heat, intense storms and disruption to weather systems worldwide, affecting rainfall, crops and fisheries across the Pacific and beyond. The scale of the phenomenon and its link to warming oceans have made it a major talking point in climate discussion.

Two powerful hurricanes are churning at the same time in the Pacific Ocean, according to KGW reporting. Forecasters are tracking the storms' paths and strength as twin systems raise concerns about potential impacts on shipping, coastal areas and island communities. The rare simultaneous presence of two strong hurricanes in the basin is drawing attention as the storm season intensifies.

New research reported by Phys.org suggests that stopping plastic from flowing into the oceans by 2050 would not be enough to prevent microplastics from continuing to accumulate in marine environments. Plastic already in the water is expected to keep breaking down into smaller particles, meaning legacy pollution would persist even if new inputs ceased. The finding highlights limits of prevention-only strategies and adds to debate over how to address existing ocean plastic.

SpaceX's Starship completed its flight with a splashdown in the ocean, with the vehicle appearing to burn up as it descended. The fiery landing drew wide attention as another step in SpaceX's test campaign for the massive rocket, which the company hopes will eventually carry crews to the Moon and Mars.

The Guardian examines a common corporate argument that any single company's fossil fuel emissions are too small to matter, comparing them to 'a drop in the ocean'. The piece challenges this framing by exploring methods to quantify the true cost of emissions, including their environmental and economic impact, and asks whether aggregate corporate responsibility is being understated.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature used the UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week to advance its agenda on nature protection, ocean conservation and climate action. The organisation says the gatherings offered a key moment to push for stronger commitments linking biodiversity and climate policy ahead of upcoming global negotiations.

A global review reported by Mongabay finds that cigarette butts account for roughly 12% of all litter in aquatic environments, making tobacco waste one of the largest single sources of pollution in oceans and waterways. The findings highlight the scale of plastic contamination from filtered cigarettes, which shed cellulose acetate and toxic chemicals into water systems worldwide.

The Pacific Ocean is undergoing an unusual change as it warms: surface waters classed as young are aging, while deeper, older waters are growing younger, according to a recent report on the ocean's shifting circulation. The finding suggests warming is altering how water masses mix and move through the Pacific, with possible implications for carbon and heat storage in the world's largest ocean.

A Chinese deep-ocean drilling vessel has brought back core samples from the South China Sea, described by officials as scientifically precious. The mission is part of China's growing deep-sea exploration programme, and the retrieved material is expected to aid research into the seabed's geology and resource potential.

UNESCO has unveiled its ONE OCEAN installation in New York during the United Nations General Assembly. The installation highlights the state of the world's oceans and is intended to draw the attention of world leaders and the public to ocean protection during high-level UN proceedings.

A Kelvin wave is a pulse of unusually warm water that travels eastward along the equator beneath the ocean surface. Meteorologists are watching a developing Kelvin wave because it can push warmer water toward the US West Coast, potentially influencing ocean temperatures, marine life, and weather patterns in California, and hinting at whether an El Niño event may form later this year.

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the Atlantic Ocean, according to forecasters, who say the storm is not currently threatening any land areas. The system is being monitored as it develops, but no coastal warnings or watches have been issued, and it is expected to remain away from populated areas for the time being.

Storms linked to the El Niño weather pattern are tearing away large chunks of the California coastline, according to reporting in The Atlantic. The article examines how intensifying ocean storms are accelerating coastal erosion, costing communities land and infrastructure along the Pacific shore. The story is being shared widely across environmental and science-focused audiences as extreme weather linked to climate patterns draws renewed attention.

New research shows that Earth microbes can survive conditions simulating the ocean beneath the ice of Enceladus, Saturn's icy moon. Scientists exposed microorganisms to the cold, salty, high-pressure environment expected there, and some endured. The finding suggests life as we know it could plausibly exist in the moon's subsurface sea, strengthening the case for future missions to sample plumes of water erupting from Enceladus.

Maersk is highlighting how artificial intelligence is transforming global supply chains and the worldwide ocean shipping network. The company, one of the world's largest container lines, examines how AI tools can improve route planning, port operations and cargo visibility across maritime logistics. The discussion comes as shipping firms face ongoing pressure to cut costs and emissions while managing unpredictable trade flows.

Scientists and fishermen in the United States are calling on federal agencies to maintain funding for a deep-ocean observation system. The network provides data on ocean conditions that researchers use for study and fishing fleets rely on for safety and operations. Both groups warn that losing the funding would leave a gap in monitoring of deep-sea environments and could affect commercial fishing decisions.

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the Atlantic Ocean, with forecasters saying the system is not currently threatening any land areas. News outlets including AP News and multiple local stations across the United States reported the storm's formation, noting it poses no immediate danger to coastal communities. The storm is being tracked as it moves over open water, and meteorologists are monitoring its path for any changes.

Climate researchers are explaining how a Kelvin Wave affects ocean waters. A Kelvin Wave is a large-scale movement of warm water along the equatorial Pacific that can raise sea surface temperatures and influence weather patterns, including developments tied to El Nino. Scientists say understanding these waves helps forecast shifts in ocean conditions and global climate impacts in the months ahead.

NOAA Fisheries is drawing attention to a collection of 2.5 million specimens it describes as 'perfect little time capsules of ocean chemistry.' The tiny samples preserve chemical records of ocean conditions over time, giving scientists a way to reconstruct how marine environments have changed. The piece has struck a chord for framing routine scientific archives in vivid, accessible language.

New research explains how spray from the subsurface ocean of Saturn's moon Enceladus turns into chemically diverse ice grains. Scientists describe the processes that give the plume particles their varied composition, shedding light on what the moon's hidden ocean contains. Enceladus is a key target in the search for life beyond Earth because its ocean vents material into space.

Palau's president is promoting his country's campaign against climate change, highlighting how rising seas threaten the small Pacific island nation. Palau has been a leading voice for ocean conservation and climate action among small island states. The message is drawing attention to the existential risks climate change poses to low-lying nations and their push for stronger global commitments.

A real estate broker in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, argues that homebuyers still have negotiating power despite mortgage rates climbing above 7%. The claim comes as buyers face some of the highest borrowing costs in decades, and the broker suggests slower market conditions are giving purchasers room to push on price and terms even with expensive financing.