Dataset
Global Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Anomalies
Tracking the deviation of current sea surface temperatures against the 1971-2000 climatological baseline.
Historical Trend (1880 - Present)
Since 1901, sea surface temperatures have risen at an average rate of 0.14°F per decade. The rate of increase has accelerated significantly over the last three decades, with the past 10 years marking the warmest ocean temperatures on record.
Anomaly (°C)
Baseline: 1971-2000
1880
1950
2020
El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Impacts
Short-term anomalies are heavily influenced by ENSO cycles. During El Niño events, the equatorial Pacific experiences significant warming, which suppresses cold-water upwelling off the coast of South America, drastically impacting fisheries yields.