oceans

Attention is turning to an El Niño event being described as unlike anything previously recorded. Commentators warn the pattern could bring record heat, intense storms and disruption to weather systems worldwide, affecting rainfall, crops and fisheries across the Pacific and beyond. The scale of the phenomenon and its link to warming oceans have made it a major talking point in climate discussion.

The United States is facing severe storms on opposite coasts at the same time, a pattern being attributed to the strength of the current El Niño. The climate phenomenon, driven by unusually warm Pacific Ocean waters, is influencing weather systems nationwide, with heavy storms hitting both the East and West coasts simultaneously and drawing attention to El Niño's far-reaching impact.

Two powerful hurricanes are churning at the same time in the Pacific Ocean, according to KGW reporting. Forecasters are tracking the storms' paths and strength as twin systems raise concerns about potential impacts on shipping, coastal areas and island communities. The rare simultaneous presence of two strong hurricanes in the basin is drawing attention as the storm season intensifies.

SpaceX's Starship completed its flight with a splashdown in the ocean, with the vehicle appearing to burn up as it descended. The fiery landing drew wide attention as another step in SpaceX's test campaign for the massive rocket, which the company hopes will eventually carry crews to the Moon and Mars.

Scientists are tracking a slow-moving, planetary-scale Kelvin wave in the Pacific that is heading toward the California coast. The ocean phenomenon could raise sea levels along the coast by up to a foot, with El Niño conditions keeping warm water trapped near the shoreline. Observers are watching for increased coastal flooding and erosion risks as the wave arrives.

New research reported by Phys.org suggests that stopping plastic from flowing into the oceans by 2050 would not be enough to prevent microplastics from continuing to accumulate in marine environments. Plastic already in the water is expected to keep breaking down into smaller particles, meaning legacy pollution would persist even if new inputs ceased. The finding highlights limits of prevention-only strategies and adds to debate over how to address existing ocean plastic.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature used the UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week to advance its agenda on nature protection, ocean conservation and climate action. The organisation says the gatherings offered a key moment to push for stronger commitments linking biodiversity and climate policy ahead of upcoming global negotiations.

SpaceX's Starship has returned to Earth, splashing down after its latest flight test. The rocket's descent into the ocean marks another milestone in the company's program to develop the massive spacecraft for future missions to the Moon and Mars. Reactions are focused on how the vehicle performed during reentry and landing, and what the results mean for upcoming test flights and NASA's lunar plans.

The Guardian examines a common corporate argument that any single company's fossil fuel emissions are too small to matter, comparing them to 'a drop in the ocean'. The piece challenges this framing by exploring methods to quantify the true cost of emissions, including their environmental and economic impact, and asks whether aggregate corporate responsibility is being understated.

The Pacific Ocean is undergoing an unusual change as it warms: surface waters classed as young are aging, while deeper, older waters are growing younger, according to a recent report on the ocean's shifting circulation. The finding suggests warming is altering how water masses mix and move through the Pacific, with possible implications for carbon and heat storage in the world's largest ocean.

A global review reported by Mongabay finds that cigarette butts account for roughly 12% of all litter in aquatic environments, making tobacco waste one of the largest single sources of pollution in oceans and waterways. The findings highlight the scale of plastic contamination from filtered cigarettes, which shed cellulose acetate and toxic chemicals into water systems worldwide.

A Chinese deep-ocean drilling vessel has brought back core samples from the South China Sea, described by officials as scientifically precious. The mission is part of China's growing deep-sea exploration programme, and the retrieved material is expected to aid research into the seabed's geology and resource potential.

SpaceX's Starship Flight 14 completed its deorbit burn, with the ship splashing down in the Pacific Ocean as planned. The event was streamed live, drawing attention from space enthusiasts tracking the test flight's progress and performance.

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed over the Atlantic Ocean, according to forecasters, who say the storm is not expected to threaten any land areas. The system's formation is being tracked as part of ongoing monitoring of Atlantic tropical activity, with no coastal warnings or watches issued at this time.

A Kelvin wave is a pulse of unusually warm water that travels eastward along the equator beneath the ocean surface. Meteorologists are watching a developing Kelvin wave because it can push warmer water toward the US West Coast, potentially influencing ocean temperatures, marine life, and weather patterns in California, and hinting at whether an El Niño event may form later this year.

The New York Times reports that the current El Niño pattern is influencing storm activity on opposite sides of the United States. The climate phenomenon, marked by warmer Pacific Ocean waters, is altering jet stream behavior and steering weather systems, shaping storm tracks for both the West and East coasts this season.

New research shows that Earth microbes can survive conditions simulating the ocean beneath the ice of Enceladus, Saturn's icy moon. Scientists exposed microorganisms to the cold, salty, high-pressure environment expected there, and some endured. The finding suggests life as we know it could plausibly exist in the moon's subsurface sea, strengthening the case for future missions to sample plumes of water erupting from Enceladus.

Environmental experts are warning that plastic pollution in the deep ocean may be interfering with the bioluminescent organisms that live there. Pollution particles could block or mimic the light signals deep sea species rely on for feeding, mating and defence, potentially disrupting entire ecosystems in one of the planet's least explored environments.

Scientists and fishermen in the United States are calling on federal agencies to maintain funding for a deep-ocean observation system. The network provides data on ocean conditions that researchers use for study and fishing fleets rely on for safety and operations. Both groups warn that losing the funding would leave a gap in monitoring of deep-sea environments and could affect commercial fishing decisions.

Tropical Storm Hanna is churning in the Atlantic Ocean while Tropical Storm Fay continues to linger, according to Gulf Coast weather reports. Both storms are being tracked as part of an active weather pattern, with residents along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts watching their paths closely for possible impacts.

A new tropical storm has formed in the Atlantic Ocean, according to reports from US news outlets. Details about the storm's name, strength, and projected path have not yet been made available. Forecasters will be monitoring the system closely as the Atlantic season continues, with coastal communities urged to follow official advisories for updates on any potential impacts.

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the Atlantic Ocean, with forecasters confirming it currently poses no threat to land. Multiple news outlets report the storm's development, tracking its position and expected path over open water. It is the latest named storm of the season, and attention now turns to whether its track or intensity changes in the coming days.

Palau's president is promoting his country's campaign against climate change, highlighting how rising seas threaten the small Pacific island nation. Palau has been a leading voice for ocean conservation and climate action among small island states. The message is drawing attention to the existential risks climate change poses to low-lying nations and their push for stronger global commitments.

Maersk is highlighting how artificial intelligence is transforming global supply chains and the worldwide ocean shipping network. The company, one of the world's largest container lines, examines how AI tools can improve route planning, port operations and cargo visibility across maritime logistics. The discussion comes as shipping firms face ongoing pressure to cut costs and emissions while managing unpredictable trade flows.

A UK climate minister has warned that the global food system is vulnerable to El Niño, the periodic warming of Pacific Ocean waters that disrupts weather patterns and can hit crop harvests. The warning highlights concerns that extreme weather linked to El Niño could drive up food prices and threaten supply security at a time of already strained agricultural conditions.

NOAA Fisheries is drawing attention to a collection of 2.5 million specimens it describes as 'perfect little time capsules of ocean chemistry.' The tiny samples preserve chemical records of ocean conditions over time, giving scientists a way to reconstruct how marine environments have changed. The piece has struck a chord for framing routine scientific archives in vivid, accessible language.

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed far out in the Atlantic Ocean, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm's development is being tracked as the season progresses, with forecasters monitoring its path and strength. Details on its expected movement and any potential threat to land have not yet been reported.