Recent research indicates that ocean temperatures in the Fijian archipelago are currently the highest they have been in 653 years. Conducted by an international team of earth and climate scientists, the study was co-led by Jens Zinke, a Professor of Palaeobiology at the University of Leicester’s School of Geography.
Zinke explained that corals, which grow over centuries, record the chemical composition of the surrounding ocean in their skeletons, functioning like a living temperature sensor. By comparing their findings with instrumental data, the researchers observed unprecedented warmth in recent years and highlighted the effects of ongoing global warming on the decadal climate dynamics of the Pacific.
The study revealed that the rising ocean temperatures in the Fijian archipelago pose a significant threat to the region’s ecosystems and nations. The research team noted that since the late 19th century, human activities have contributed to increasing ocean temperatures, leading to marine heatwaves that have severely impacted coastal ecosystems.
The findings provide new insights into the interaction between ocean temperature trends across the tropical and subtropical Pacific over the last six centuries. The recent warming trends in these regions have resulted in lower temperature gradients, significantly affecting Pacific Island nations and altering weather patterns through changes in drought and flood cycles.