UPSC PracticeUPSC Practice
UPSC Notes

Marine Heatwaves

PYQs

2

Articles

1

Momentum

9

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

UPSC cares about marine heatwaves due to their profound ecological, economic, and social impacts, their direct link to climate change, and the need for policy responses in environmental conservation, disaster management, and sustainable development.

Marine heatwaves are prolonged periods of unusually warm ocean temperatures in a particular region, significantly exceeding the seasonal average. They represent a critical manifestation of global ocean warming, impacting marine ecosystems and coastal communities worldwide.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Definition

Periods of anomalously high ocean temperatures lasting for days to months, often defined as temperatures above the 90th percentile for at least five consecutive days.

Primary Cause

Anthropogenic climate change leading to global ocean warming, exacerbated by natural climate variability like El Niño.

Ecological Impacts

Coral bleaching, mass mortality of marine species, disruption of marine food webs, changes in species distribution and migration patterns.

Socio-economic Impacts

Negative effects on fisheries, aquaculture, and coastal tourism, impacting livelihoods and food security.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaEnvironment & Ecology

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)Reports on climate change impacts and future risks
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Statement-based questions

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • Defined as prolonged periods of unusually warm ocean temperatures.
  • Primarily caused by anthropogenic global warming.
  • Lead to coral bleaching, mass mortality of marine species, and fishery disruptions.
  • Increasing in frequency, intensity, and duration globally.
  • Significant threat to marine biodiversity, food security, and coastal livelihoods.

Topic timeline

Environment & Ecology
Prelims 2016· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Agreement was signed by all...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Conceptual understanding, Terminology-based question

The term "sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction" is often mentioned in the news in the context of the discussion of

Open question

Marine heatwaves: Why is the ocean getting hotter?

15 Aug 2026 · Marine heatwaves are extended periods of unusually high ocean temperatures, primarily driven by climate change, causing severe ecological damage like coral bleaching and impacting fisheries and coastal livelihoods globally.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Marine Heatwaves

Often confused with

El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 2 linked questions on Marine Heatwaves in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Marine Heatwaves

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Agreement was signed by all...

2016·Environment & Ecology
Solve

The term "sixth mass extinction/sixth extinction" is often mentioned in the news in the context of the discussion of

2018·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Editorial & Review Process

Every revision note and practice question on UPSC Practice is researched using authoritative primary sources and reviewed for factual accuracy, syllabus relevance, and exam value. Read our Editorial Policy.

Verified Quality
Browse all topics