Sea surface temperatures are shown in the figure on the right (data provided by NOAA). On the whole, they show a similar trend to that of global land surface temperatures.
The oceans are also warming at depth. There are sufficient data from the upper 3,000 m to provide a global estimate. In March 2000, NOAA reported that this layer had warmed on average by 0.06°C over the past 40 years. Most of this warming occurred in the top 300m, which warmed by around 0.3°C.
These data show that heat is entering the ocean from the surface and spreading downwards. The pattern of warming is remarkably similar to predictions from climate models, suggesting that the cause of the warming is primarily greenhouse gases.
The oceans are also warming at depth. There are sufficient data from the upper 3,000 m to provide a global estimate. In March 2000, NOAA reported that this layer had warmed on average by 0.06°C over the past 40 years. Most of this warming occurred in the top 300m, which warmed by around 0.3°C.
These data show that heat is entering the ocean from the surface and spreading downwards. The pattern of warming is remarkably similar to predictions from climate models, suggesting that the cause of the warming is primarily greenhouse gases.
