According to the findings of a recent study, the cause of one of the most severe droughts that affected the west coast of the United States has to do with a mysterious phenomenon dubbed as the “warm blob” that comes from the Pacific Ocean.
The scientists involved in the study said that the mysterious blob was discovered in the Pacific Ocean and has a temperature 2 to 7 degrees higher than that of the surrounding water. The researchers believe that because of this, the west coast marine ecosystem is being changed and the sea creatures are being forced to move in other parts of the ocean.
The researchers believe that the warm blob is located at approximately 1,000 miles offshore, between Alaska and Mexico and can be found at about 300 ft below water.
When asked what could have caused this mysterious phenomenon the scientists answered that one of the causes could have been a ridge of high pressure which traps heat in the water.
Researchers from the University of Washington explained that the warm blob of water may have been responsible for the mild winter of 2014 in Washington, and according to the experts, the same blob could influence the seasons and bring us a warmer-than-usual summer.
The researchers have not yet figured out the origins of this warm blob of water and no one really knows for sure how long it will exist.
However, the scientists have managed to determine some of the effects of this phenomenon.
According to them, after the air goes over the warmer water and reaches the coasts it brings more heat. This could explain why some US states, like Oregon, Washington and California are currently experiencing some of the most severe droughts.
The scientists believe that this warm blob of water is disturbing the food web of the many species of fish that live in the ocean, even though the fish are still living in the same regions of the water.
The blob is deeply affecting the nutrient value of the waters, as per the experts.
The team of scientists involved in the new study predicts that the warm blob of water phenomenon and other meteorological disturbances will occur more often in the future.
These anomalies, which have unknown origins, may be responsible for further disrupting the climate cycle of our planet.
When asked if the warm blob of water is related whatsoever with global warming, the scientists said that it is not.
Image Source: independent.co.uk
