The Marine Heat Waves from space: from detection to prediction workshop. Science Hub, ESA-ESRIN 13-16th October 2025.
- Post by: Sabrina Lodadio
- October 14, 2025
Marine Heat Waves (MHWs) — periods of abnormally high sea surface temperatures lasting several days — are becoming more frequent and intense under climate change. Enhancing our capacity to monitor and predict them is now crucial — not only for science, but also for society and ocean health.
Recognizing the growing importance of MHWs, numerous international efforts — from Horizon Europe and ESA projects to global initiatives have been focusing on advancing knowledge and societal uptake of this Ocean Health indicator. Over the past three years, the ESA CAREHeat project (deteCtion and threAts of maRinE Heat waves), led by CNR-ISMAR with partners ENEA, CLS, +Atlantic, Mercator-Ocean, and Ifremer, has worked to refine MHW detection and characterization methods and to deepen understanding of the physical processes driving these events. The project is part of the ESA Ocean Science Cluster and the EC–ESA Flagship Initiative on Ocean Health.
Building on the project outcome, the CAREHeat consortium has organized the workshop “Marine Heat Waves From Space: from detection to prediction” which is taking place at the ESA Science Hub from 13–16 October.
The event gathers 25 experts from 11 countries to exchange insights and shape future research around four core objectives: improving MHW detection, enhancing observability, advancing predictability, and assessing impacts. A major outcome will be a White Paper summarizing key challenges and opportunities and outlining a roadmap for future MHW-related activities.