Weather Words: The Blob

Unlike the sci-fi monster, this Blob didn’t come from outer space. This marine heatwave that was first detected in 2013 and was formed due to an area of persistent high-pressure over the Pacific, that caused ocean temperatures to soar to as much as 7 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. At its peak, it stretched over 1,000 miles wide and 300 feet deep. It later split into three distinct masses across the Pacific. It has been linked to major disruptions in ocean ecosystems and climate patterns. Scientists ever since have been closely monitoring its long-term impacts, as warming oceans may make such events more frequent.

The blob’s warmer ocean water led to less mixing and slower ocean currents. This resulted in fewer nutrients and less oxygen, for marine life, which had a huge impact on the oceanic food chain. Some species, like sardines and tuna, thrive, while others, like salmon and cold-water plankton, struggle. The result was widespread ecosystem shifts, toxic algal blooms, and mass seabird die-offs.

The Impact on Wildlife

• Seabirds: The 2015-2016 Common Murre die-off was the largest on record, with thousands of birds starving due to a lack of cold-water forage fish.
• Marine Mammals: Whales, sea lions, and otters have suffered from food shortages and toxic algae exposure.
• Fisheries: Warmer waters have led to declining crab populations and increased whale entanglements as whales move closer to shore in search of food.

In 2019, scientists discovered a similar blob, dubbing it Blob 2.0. This event caused record breaking ocean temperatures along the Pacific Northwest coast.

Scientists warn that climate change is making marine heatwaves like The Blob more frequent and intense. As ocean temperatures rise, we may see more disruptions in marine life, weather patterns, and coastal economies. The Blob may have faded, but its impact is still being felt, as scientists keep a close eye on similar incidents as our oceans continue to warm.

Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.