Record Heat Absorption by Oceans in 2025: A Global Concern

Unprecedented Ocean Heat Levels Recorded

Beijing, Jan 9: A recent international study has revealed that the oceans absorbed more heat in 2025 than in any previous year since the start of modern record-keeping.

According to the findings published in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, the ocean's heat content surged last year, accumulating an astonishing 23 Zetta Joules of energy. This amount is equivalent to 37 years of global energy consumption at the levels recorded in 2023, as reported by a news agency.

This research involved a significant collaboration of over 50 scientists from 31 research institutions around the globe.

By synthesizing data from prominent international centers and independent research teams across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, the scientists determined that the heat content in the upper 2,000 meters of the ocean reached its highest level ever recorded in 2025, indicating a clear and persistent upward trend.

Researchers, including experts from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, pointed out that ocean warming is not uniform across the globe. In 2025, approximately 16% of the world's ocean area experienced record-high temperatures, while an additional 33% ranked among the top three warmest years in their historical records. The most rapid warming was observed in regions such as the tropical and South Atlantic, the North Pacific, and the Southern Ocean.

While the deep ocean recorded unprecedented heat levels, surface temperatures displayed a slightly different trend. The global average sea-surface temperature in 2025 was the third highest on record, remaining about 0.5 degrees Celsius above the recent baseline and slightly lower than the peaks seen in 2023 and 2024.

These elevated surface temperatures have significant real-world implications, leading to increased evaporation and heavier rainfall. They were instrumental in exacerbating extreme weather events in 2025, including severe flooding in Southeast Asia and Mexico, as well as drought conditions in the Middle East, according to the researchers.

The study cautioned that ongoing ocean heating has serious consequences. It directly contributes to rising sea levels through thermal expansion, prolongs marine heatwaves, and adds more heat and moisture to the atmosphere, potentially intensifying storms and other extreme weather events.

Scientists stressed that as long as the planet continues to accumulate heat, records for ocean heat will continue to be surpassed.