Getting a Rise Out of You

Oceans warming faster than thought, says research

Posted at 3:39 PM on 18 Jun 2008

The world's oceans have warmed 50 percent faster over the last four decades than what was previously thought, according to a new study published in Nature. The new research helps to explain recent sea-level rise that climate models weren't accounting for; melting ice gets all the press, but since heat expands, hotter water also contributes to rising seas. The research gives ''significantly greater credibility'' to climate modeling of ocean temperatures, says researcher Susan Wijffels. Looks like the sea-level rise thing is covered, glaciers and ice sheets, so feel free to just stay frozen.

sources:  Agence France-Presse, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Telegraph, The Canberra Times, ScienceDaily