Stories
Kelvin Wave Threatens California: Understanding the Underwater Phenomenon and Its Risks
- •A Kelvin wave, an underwater pulse of unusually warm water, is heading towards California's West Coast, often associated with El Niño.
- •Unlike surface waves, Kelvin waves are gentle flows beneath the ocean, described as a large-scale movement of water similar to a bathtub effect.
- •These planetary waves can travel thousands of miles, deepening the thermocline and potentially raising coastal sea levels, worsening high-tide flooding.
- •California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, with the state preparing for potential impacts through road closures, snow removal, and National Guard standby.
- •The California Coastal Commission urges residents to prepare for flooding and erosion, noting that storms coinciding with high tides are most damaging.
Key Questions Answered
A Kelvin wave is a massive planetary wave consisting of a surge of unusually warm water moving thousands of miles beneath the Pacific Ocean surface. Unlike beach waves, they do not crash or become easily visible, functioning instead like water shifting in a bathtub due to weakened equatorial trade winds.
Kelvin waves can deepen the thermocline and raise upper ocean temperatures, which may temporarily elevate coastal sea levels. These effects heighten risks by worsening high-tide flooding and allowing destructive storm waves to travel further inland.
Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on September 21 to organize resources, while the National Guard stands by for rescue efforts. Additionally, the California Coastal Commission is urging residents to inspect vulnerable properties, improve drainage, and prepare for potential flooding and erosion.
