Estimated Ocean Climate Velocity Using Satellite Sea Surface Temperature Products Since the Early 2000s in the East Sea

To understand the impacts of climate change on local marine ecosystems, assessing ocean climate velocity in regional seas is essential. This study investigated changes in sea surface temperature (SST) and associated shifts in isotherm location and ocean climate velocity in the East Sea of Korea from 2000 to 2024, utilizing satellite-derived SST data. The results revealed a significant acceleration in the ocean climate velocity of SST, reaching 66.99 km/decade over the past 25 years. The velocity significantly increased during Phase 4, indicating rapid changes with potential ecosystem impacts. The 18 °C SST zone expanded by more than twofold from the early 2000s to the early 2020s. The annual average SST exhibited a steady, consistent decadal increase. These trends are associated with the northward shift of isotherms, which significantly influences the SST distribution patterns, particularly in the 16–18 °C range. Given the accelerating ocean climate velocity, urgent attention is needed to mitigate climate change impacts, particularly in vulnerable regions such as the East Sea. This study enhances the understanding of SST dynamics and underscores the importance of proactive conservation and management in climate-affected marine ecosystems.