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Mediterranean Sea temperatures rise due to a marine heatwave

A marine heatwave in June saw temperatures in the Mediterranean Sea soar, and a Greek scientist warned that some species were under threat. This was likely a period of record highs.

Copernicus Marine Service, a service of the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service, reported that data from Copernicus Climate Change Service showed sea surface temperature on June 22, was more than 5 degrees Celsius higher than the average for this season.

It said that the most intense warming of what it called "a marine heatwave" occurred in the western Mediterranean basin. This included the Balearic Sea off Spain and the Tyrrhenian Sea off the west coast Italy.

Christos Spyrou is an associate researcher with the Academy of Athens' research centre for atmospheric science. He said: "We saw temperatures that we expected in mid-August being recorded in early June.... This is why this year is considered to be a record for temperatures in Mediterranean Sea."

He stated that the sea temperature average in June was 3-6 degrees above the 1982-2023 average, which was used to compare the two periods.

Spyrou stated that specific temperatures are not yet available.

Some species may not be able reproduce or survive under these conditions, particularly with increasing temperatures.

According to Copernicus data, Europe is the continent that warms up the fastest, with temperatures rising twice as fast as the global average. Extreme heatwaves are therefore more likely to occur earlier in the season and last into the later months.

France closed scores of schools, and Spain confirmed that last month was its hottest ever June as a severe, heatwave gripped Europe.

Christos, a Greek resident aged 69 who identified himself as Christos, said that he noticed the warm waters near Athens.

"I've been coming here since 11 years. I think the sea is a bit warmer than in other years." "Every year, it gets warmer both in the winter and summer," said he (Reporting & Editing by Alison Williams).

(source: Reuters)