A rare ocean shift known as a Kelvin wave is building along the Pacific coast, with scientists warning it could elevate sea levels by as much as a foot due to the influence of a powerful El Niño event. The phenomenon occurs when weakened or reversed trade winds trigger a slow-moving surge of warm water toward the western coastlines. Experts link this development to heightened risks of storm surges and coastal flooding in the near term. The interaction between El Niño and the Kelvin wave may amplify flooding threats along vulnerable shorelines.
The ocean phenomenon could raise sea levels by up to a foot as El Niño keeps warm water trapped along the coastConcerns are mounting about an ocean phenomenon known as a kelvin wave that could raise sea levels along the California coastline by up to a foot, as scientists say El Niño is supercharging the threat of storm surges and flooding in the coming months.As an incredibly strong El Niño continues to develop in the Pacific, the phenomenon brings with it a strange shift in the ocean. The kelvin wave phenomenon is created when trade winds that usually blow from South America towards Asia die down or reverse in El Niño years, setting off a massive, slow-moving slosh of water. Continue reading...
