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ISRO Satellite Finds Pacific Ocean Changes As El Niño Develops
ISRO used a satellite to watch what is happening in the Pacific Ocean.
In June 2026, the satellite saw less chlorophyll-a near the ocean’s surface.
Chlorophyll-a is found in tiny plants called phytoplankton.
These tiny plants help feed many ocean animals.
Less chlorophyll-a can mean that fewer nutrients are reaching the surface.
This can happen when El Niño weakens the winds that normally help bring deep, nutrient-rich water upward.
The satellite also saw Pacific winds changing direction.
Scientists say these signs show that El Niño may already be changing the ocean.
El Niño could become stronger later in 2026 and last into early 2027.
ISRO’s Oceansat-3 detected a decline in Pacific surface chlorophyll-a during June 2026.
The decline coincided with surface winds shifting from their usual easterly direction toward westerlies.
Researchers compared tropical Pacific data from April through June across 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Reduced chlorophyll-a may indicate lower phytoplankton growth and marine productivity because of weaker nutrient-rich upwelling.
Weather agencies have warned that El Niño could strengthen between September and November 2026 and continue until February 2027.
- Who
- Scientists at ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre analyzed observations from the Oceansat-3 satellite.
- What
- The satellite detected falling surface chlorophyll-a levels and changing winds in the equatorial Pacific as El Niño developed.
- Where
- The changes were observed in the tropical and equatorial Pacific Ocean.
- When
- The key decline was recorded in June 2026, using comparisons covering April through June from 2023 to 2026.
- Why
- Developing El Niño conditions can weaken trade winds and reduce the upwelling of cold, nutrient-rich water, limiting phytoplankton growth.
Key facts
- Satellite
- Oceansat-3, also known as Earth Observation System EOS-06
- Launch year
- 2022
- Analyzing institution
- ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre in Hyderabad
- Key observation
- Surface chlorophyll-a levels declined in June 2026
- Wind change
- Surface winds shifted from easterly conditions toward westerlies
- Comparison period
- April, May, and June across 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026
- Forecast window
- El Niño could strengthen during September-November 2026 and continue until February 2027
