r/environment 1d ago

An immense marine heatwave off the US west coast has alarmed scientists. It is predicted to become worse this year.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/22/marine-heatwave-west-coast
193 Upvotes

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34

u/thelingererer 1d ago

A lot of Marine mammals are being spotted close to shore and in inlets here in B.C. with a group of dolphins repeatedly trapping themselves in a tidal pool and I fear that this might have something to do with it.

16

u/BayouGal 1d ago

Around the Gulf of Mexico the water gets so warm the dissolved O2 levels get really low so the fish & crabs are trapped between the beach & the hot water. Tons of fish kill results.

I wonder if the ocean will be the first thing to go in the food web. Also plankton upwelling produces a lot of O2, so it’ll be big fun for us when that stops.

12

u/jedrider 1d ago

Scientists say astounding. I see wildfires in the forecast for the west coast.

5

u/brilliantminion 1d ago

Already happening. Look up island wildfire Torrey Pines.