Marine Heat Wave Killed 4 Million Murre Seabirds | 20 Dec 2024

A marine heatwave (MHW) nicknamed “the Blob” killed 4 Million of Alaska’s Common Murre Seabirds between 2014 and 2016.

This was the largest documented die-off of a single species of wild bird or mammal.
Common Murres: They are black-and-white seabirds (often described as "flying penguins”) that somewhat resemble penguins in appearance, and are among the most plentiful seabirds in Alaska.
- They are the deepest diving bird in the northern hemisphere diving up to 600 feet deep.
- IUCN Status: Least Concern.

MHW: It occurs when the surface temperature of a particular region of the sea rises to 3 or 4 degree Celsius above the average temperature for at least five days.
- MHWs can last for weeks, months or even years.
- MHWs destroy kelp forests as Kleps (underwater ecosystems in shallow water) usually grow in cooler waters.
Alaska:
- Alaska is the largest state in the US by area.
- It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, Canada to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the south, and Russia across the Bering Strait to the west.
  - Originally a part of Russia, Alaska was purchased by the US in 1867.
- It is rich in oil, natural gas, and minerals.