A Massive Kelvin Wave Is Heading Toward California
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A large Kelvin wave of warm water is expected to reach the California coast around mid-October. The slow-moving bulge of water could temporarily raise sea levels along the coastline by about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm). This extra water, combined with high tides, large waves, or storms, may increase the risk of coastal flooding and erosion.
What is a Kelvin wave?
Kelvin waves are different from the wind-driven waves we see breaking at the beach. Instead of short, crashing surface waves, Kelvin waves are massive, slow-moving pulses of warm water. They travel deep beneath the ocean surface. A single wave can stretch across large parts of the Pacific, temporarily raising sea levels as it passes.
Where did this wave come from?
The Kelvin wave began thousands of miles away near the equator in the western Pacific Ocean. Changes in wind patterns pushed the large mass of warm water eastward across the ocean toward South America. Upon hitting the South American coast, the wave split. One part traveled south, while another traveled north along the coasts of Central and North America. That northern branch is now heading toward California.
El Niño and Kelvin waves
El Niño is a climate pattern that causes unusual warming in the tropical Pacific Ocean. Strong El Niño events often create Kelvin waves that carry warm water toward the Americas. During the major 2015-2016 El Niño, scientists tracked multiple Kelvin waves. The event was linked to extremely powerful waves on the US West Coast. It also caused record erosion on many California beaches. Scientists will be watching closely as this latest wave arrives to monitor its effects on coastal sea levels.
Resources: PBS.org, CBC.ca, Wikipedia.org
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28 Comments
cr7taaha4 daysthank god I stay in the UAE the waves are good in here
softball_lover8 daysStay safe everyone!!
dogeluvva989 daysPls be safe guys, have a plan 😔😰 God bless 🙏
hbutler310 daysstay safe if you live in California the waves are huge- sepypopo-17884414042211 daysDANGGG!!! feel bad for the people in California stay safe Guys.
- hisomilewyje11 daysI hope California people stay safe
bademocunelo12 daysYeesh stay safe yall
turntochrist12 daysl live in California. The waves are big
napomygiceru12 daysI feel so bad for the people that live in California. The people that live in California I hope you’re the best of luck and stay safe please try your best. At least I mean a for effort
nigywyca-17918235214816 daysI live in California 😭😭😭- napomygiceru12 daysOMG I am so sorry:o .I hope you and your family best of luck and stay safe.
