Abstract
Hurricanes have far-reaching effects on the oceans, not just on land. They can push heat deep into the ocean, locking it up for years and impacting regions far from the storm. This is because hurricanes gain their energy from warm sea surface temperatures, which help moist air rise and form clouds. The study shows that hurricanes enhance the ocean's ability to absorb and store heat, and underwater waves produced by the storm can push heat four times deeper than mixing alone. This trapped heat can be transported by deep sea currents thousands of kilometers away. For example, a hurricane in the western Pacific Ocean could heat the coast of Ecuador years later. The study used real-time measurements and a microstructure profiler to analyze ocean turbulence and heat transfer. The findings suggest that hurricanes can shape global climate patterns by pumping heat deep into the ocean and keeping it sequestered, potentially mitigating climate change. Coral reefs are particularly sensitive to the excess heat from hurricanes, leading to bleaching even in distant locations. Overall, hurricanes have a significant impact on the ocean and the Earth's climate.