Archive · 1 Dec 2025
Southern Ocean May Release Stored Heat
Scientists have found that the Southern Ocean around Antarctica has been absorbing a lot of the Earth's extra heat and carbon dioxide from human activities.
They warn that this ocean might suddenly release all that stored heat, like a big 'burp'.
This could make the Earth warmer again, even after we stop using fossil fuels and start cooling the planet.
The heat release happens because the ocean's layers become unstable.
The surface gets colder and saltier, while warm water stays trapped deep down.
Eventually, this warm water can rise quickly, causing a sudden increase in temperature.
Scientists say it's important to reduce our carbon emissions now to avoid this problem in the future.
Southern Ocean has absorbed 90% of the planet's excess heat and 25% of human-generated CO2.
New modeling suggests the ocean could release stored heat abruptly, causing a renewed rise in global temperatures.
The heat release would occur after several centuries of net-negative emissions, during which global temperatures steadily fall.
The 'burp' is caused by the destabilization of the water column, where warm water trapped at depth rises rapidly.
The primary impact of the heat release is thermal, not chemical, and would be strongest in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Who
- Scientists and researchers
- What
- Potential release of stored heat from the Southern Ocean
- When
- After several centuries of net-negative emissions
- Where
- Southern Ocean around Antarctica
- Why
- Due to the destabilization of the water column
- Ocean
- Southern Ocean
- Heat Absorption
- 90% of planet's excess heat
- CO2 Absorption
- 25% of human-generated CO2
- Potential Impact
- Renewed rise in global temperatures
- Duration of Impact
- More than 100 years
- Primary Impact
- Thermal, not chemical
- Researchers
- Svenja Frey, Kirsten Zickfeld, Ric Williams