The National Research Authority announces a record of 21.1 degrees Celsius in oceans and significant ice loss in Greenland

On August 22, the average sea surface temperature reached a record of 21.1 degrees Celsius in regions between 60 degrees south and north latitude, according to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service. This is the highest value recorded since 1979, surpassing the previous record of 21.09 degrees from March 2024.

This unusual maximum occurs in the context of an El Niño episode and may have negative effects on marine ecosystems and can intensify extreme weather phenomena. Additionally, on August 4, the Petermann Glacier in Greenland lost 76 km² of ice, the largest loss of this type since 2012.

The Research Authority emphasizes the importance of establishing the southern overturning circulation in the Atlantic and the involvement of Romanian researchers in climate studies through the analysis of stalagmites in the Carpathians. These data suggest a significant climate transformation, with cumulative effects over time.