MBARI technology continuously monitors conditions in Monterey Bay and across Central California waters. The M1 mooring anchored over the mouth of Monterey Canyon has recorded an anomalous influx of warm water, an indication of the arrival of El Niño. Over the past month, MBARI researchers have detected the first signals of an extreme El Niño in Central California: an influx of warm water and sightings of southern species.

MBARI technology continuously monitors conditions in Monterey Bay and across Central California waters. The M1 mooring anchored over the mouth of Monterey Canyon has recorded an anomalous influx of warm water, an indication of the arrival of El Niño. (Image credit: Todd Walsh, MBARI)

Why It Matters

El Niño events have significant impacts on marine ecosystems and coastal communities.…