In the summer of 2021, the East China Sea experienced unusually high temperatures, and the East Korean Warm Current was the driving force behind this.
It's a special ocean current that dominates record-breaking changes. From a significant intensification to a gradual weakening, it acts like a gentle guardian that brings warm tropical waters to the cold polar regions.
However, by the end of July 2021, the warm current had suddenly moved 40°n to the north, and at the same time, measurements at the moorings showed an increase in its speed by 116m/s。
These measurement points on the seabed also found that the amount of water transported to the East China Sea via EKWC tripled in a short period of time.
By mid-August, the speed of the water flow decreases rapidly, weakening to the summer background level of 05m/s。
In this area, warm surface waters are pushed deeper, while cold nutrient-rich waters do not reach the surface of coastal areas. This makes these areas areas of low marine biological productivity.
And by mid-August, the monsoon (Typhoon Lupit) changed the wind pattern, driving the upwelling caused by the southerly winds, which changed the surface temperature.
Overall, the research team identified ocean temperature anomalies as the main driver of the 2021 EKWC marine heatwave.
I'm a tech creator The subterranean layer with a water depth of 200-300m contributes the most to this temperature change and is affected by the nearby Ulneung Warm Current, a lenticular mass of water located within the thermocline (the transition between deeper cold water and warmer surface water). By August, the vortex had weakened due to the passage of Typhoon Lupi. Understanding the occurrence and causes of marine heatwaves is not only about the health of the ocean, but also about the people who depend on it. For example, the global fishing community considers fish to be an important protein**, and a significant proportion of the world's population depends on these fish for protein**.
Therefore, in-depth research on marine heatwaves will not only help us better protect the marine environment, but also help ensure the survival and development of human beings.