Scientists may have found the reason behind grey whales washing up dead on the Pacific coast since 2019. Scientists have been left stunned by the report of the mysterious deaths of grey whales. In a new study published in the journal Science, scientists have established links between the impact of climate change on these marine mammals.&nbsp;

Over the past four years, more than 680 grey whales have washed up or been found dead on North America's Pacific shores over the last four years.&nbsp;

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, which releases data on whale deaths, characterised the recent increase in grey whale strandings as an "unusual mortality event".&nbsp;

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The mammal population in the North Pacific has declined from a peak of around 27,000 in 2016 to about 14,500 in 2023.&nbsp;

While revealing what is behind the deaths, Joshua Stuart from Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute said in a statement: "These are extreme population swings that we did not expect to see in a large, long-lived species like grey whales." &nbsp;

"When the availability of their prey in the Arctic is low, and the whales cannot reach their feeding areas because of sea ice, the grey whale population experiences rapid and major shocks," added Stuart, who is also the author of the new study.&nbsp;

The latest research suggests that even species like grey whales, which are highly mobile and long-lived, can be sensitive to climate change impacts, such as the melting of the Arctic.&nbsp;

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Explaining what was causing these deaths, Stewart told outlet KTVB,&nbsp;"Feels like this time we've got a pretty good 'smoking gun'".&nbsp;

Grey whales spend the summers in the Arctic and migrate more than 12,000 miles every year from their feeding areas to their breeding grounds in the warm, shallow lagoons of Mexico's Baja Peninsula. They spend winters there.&nbsp;

Grey whales in the Arctic eat amphipod crustaceans. Amphipods, in turn, feed on algae that grow on the sea ice's underside.&nbsp;

Stewart said in a release that "with less ice, you get less algae, which is worse for the grey whale prey" and "when there are sudden declines in the quality of prey, the population of grey whales is significantly affected".&nbsp;

The finding of the report means that the melting sea ice disrupts the entire food chain, but Stewart said he does not think there is currently a risk of extinction for grey whales.

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Scientists may have found the reason behind grey whales washing up dead on the Pacific coast since 2019. Scientists have been left stunned by the report of the mysterious deaths of grey whales.

Scientists may have found the reason behind grey whales washing up dead on the Pacific coast since 2019. Scientists have been left stunned by the report of the mysterious deaths of grey whales. In a new study published in the journal Science, scientists have established links between the impact of climate change on these marine mammals. Over the past four years, more than 680 grey whales have washed up or been found dead on North America's Pacific shores over the last four years. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, which releases data on whale deaths, characterised the recent increase in grey whale strandings as an "unusual mortality event". Also read: This Bronze Age slab is a 'treasure map' to hunt ancient sites in France The mammal population in the North Pacific has declined from a peak of around 27,000 in 2016 to about 14,500 in 2023. While revealing what is behind the deaths, Joshua Stuart from Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute said in a statement: "These are extreme population swings that we did not expect to see in a large, long-lived species like grey whales." "When the availability of their prey in the Arctic is low, and the whales cannot reach their feeding areas because of sea ice, the grey whale population experiences rapid and major shocks," added Stuart, who is also the author of the new study. The latest research suggests that even species like grey whales, which are highly mobile and long-lived, can be sensitive to climate change impacts, such as the melting of the Arctic. Also read: Amazon river falls to lowest level in over a century amid Brazil drought crisis Explaining what was causing these deaths, Stewart told outlet KTVB, "Feels like this time we've got a pretty good 'smoking gun'". Grey whales spend the summers in the Arctic and migrate more than 12,000 miles every year from their feeding areas to their breeding grounds in the warm, shallow lagoons of Mexico's Baja Peninsula. They spend winters there. Grey whales in the Arctic eat amphipod crustaceans. Amphipods, in turn, feed on algae that grow on the sea ice's underside. Stewart said in a release that "with less ice, you get less algae, which is worse for the grey whale prey" and "when there are sudden declines in the quality of prey, the population of grey whales is significantly affected". The finding of the report means that the melting sea ice disrupts the entire food chain, but Stewart said he does not think there is currently a risk of extinction for grey whales. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Scientists may finally know why dead grey whales are washing up on US Coast

A hurricane warning has been issued for parts of the Texas coast in the US as Tropical Storm Hanna threatened to bring heavy rain, rough waters and strong winds.

Hanna was centered about 195 miles (350 kilometres) east of Corpus Christi, Texas, the US National Hurricane Centre said. The storm had maximum sustained winds around 50 mph (85 kph) and was moving west at 10 mph (17 kph).

Hanna was forecast to make landfall on Saturday afternoon or early evening.

Forecasters said Hanna could bring 5 to 10 inches (13 to 25 centimeters) of rain and coastal swells that could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.

Hanna broke the record as the earliest eighth Atlantic named storm, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach.

Officials said that those in the Windward Islands should monitor the storm as it is expected to approach the islands Saturday. Some strengthening was possible but the storm is expected to weaken as it moves into the Caribbean Sea.

A hurricane warning has been issued for parts of the Texas coast in the US as Tropical Storm Hanna threatened to bring heavy rain, rough waters and strong winds.

A hurricane warning has been issued for parts of the Texas coast in the US as Tropical Storm Hanna threatened to bring heavy rain, rough waters and strong winds. Hanna was centered about 195 miles (350 kilometres) east of Corpus Christi, Texas, the US National Hurricane Centre said. The storm had maximum sustained winds around 50 mph (85 kph) and was moving west at 10 mph (17 kph). Hanna was forecast to make landfall on Saturday afternoon or early evening. Forecasters said Hanna could bring 5 to 10 inches (13 to 25 centimeters) of rain and coastal swells that could cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions. Hanna broke the record as the earliest eighth Atlantic named storm, according to Colorado State University hurricane researcher Phil Klotzbach. Officials said that those in the Windward Islands should monitor the storm as it is expected to approach the islands Saturday. Some strengthening was possible but the storm is expected to weaken as it moves into the Caribbean Sea.

Hurricane warning issued as Hanna approaches US coast

A tropical storm -- Bertha -- that could unleash heavy rainfall and produce life-threatening flash flooding made landfall along the South Carolina coast on Wednesday.

The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Tropical Storm Bertha, which packed maximum sustained winds of 50 miles (80 km) per hour, is located about 20 miles (30 km) east of Charleston, South Carolina.

Bertha was expected to move inland toward North Carolina and southwest Virginia as it weakens to a tropical depression.

It is just 30 miles offshore and is going to move inland during the next few hours, so this is not going to get any stronger.

The NHC issued a tropical storm warning for the areas along the South Carolina coast from Edisto Beach to South Santee River, and warned that Bertha could bring two to four inches of rain in much of the affected areas, potentially triggering dangerous flash flooding.

A tropical storm -- Bertha -- that could unleash heavy rainfall and produce life-threatening flash flooding made landfall along the South Carolina coast on Wednesday.

A tropical storm -- Bertha -- that could unleash heavy rainfall and produce life-threatening flash flooding made landfall along the South Carolina coast on Wednesday. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Tropical Storm Bertha, which packed maximum sustained winds of 50 miles (80 km) per hour, is located about 20 miles (30 km) east of Charleston, South Carolina. Bertha was expected to move inland toward North Carolina and southwest Virginia as it weakens to a tropical depression. It is just 30 miles offshore and is going to move inland during the next few hours, so this is not going to get any stronger. The NHC issued a tropical storm warning for the areas along the South Carolina coast from Edisto Beach to South Santee River, and warned that Bertha could bring two to four inches of rain in much of the affected areas, potentially triggering dangerous flash flooding.

Tropical Storm Bertha makes landfall along Southeast US coast

Hurricane Matthew hit Florida, Georgia and South Carolina in the&nbsp;United States after killing almost 900 people in Haiti but was reduced to a category 1 storm on Saturday.

The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) downgraded the storm to a Category 1 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds subsiding to a still dangerous 75 miles (130 kilometers) per hour, AFP reported.

&quot;The combination of a dangerous storm surge, the tide, and large and destructive waves will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline,&quot; the NHC said.

The Matthew appeared to be diminishing after hitting the southern coast of South Carolina after causing power outages in Florida and claiming at least four lives.

In Florida, 775,000 were without power, according to state utilities, while in South Carolina 433,000 had no power, Governor Nikki Haley said, Reuters reported. Florida governor Rick Scott told Reuters that more than 6,000 people stayed in shelters on Friday night.

&quot;We&#39;re all blessed that Matthew stayed off our coast,&quot; he said, though he also described extensive flooding, damaged roads, downed trees and homes without electricity. He predicted most people would have power back by Sunday evening.

&quot;The weather experts have described Matthew as a once in a 100-year type of storm,&quot; said Mayor Lenny Curry in Jacksonville, Florida.

Matthew triggered mass evacuations and cities were under curfew as the storm accelerated along the US coast from Florida through Georgia and into South Carolina and North Carolina.

Cities including Savannah and Charleston in South Carolina were under dusk-to-dawn curfews to keep people off the streets and guard against looting.

Streets in Charleston were flooding up to the top of the tires. However, the officials did not report any deaths, injuries or significant structural damage.

President Barack Obama has declared federal states of emergency in Florida, Georgia, and North and South Carolina.

A US Navy ship transport dock ship was en route to Haiti to support relief efforts. The US government was also airlifting in blankets, hygiene kits, kitchen sets and plastic sheeting for emergency shelters, a statement by the United States Agency for International Development said.

The storm caused major flooding and left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean coast. Tens of thousands were left homeless in Haiti earlier this week before it skirted Florida&#39;s Atlantic coast on Friday.

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Matthew triggered mass evacuations and cities were under curfew as the storm accelerated along the US coast from Florida through Georgia

Hurricane Matthew hit Florida, Georgia and South Carolina in the United States after killing almost 900 people in Haiti but was reduced to a category 1 storm on Saturday. The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) downgraded the storm to a Category 1 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds subsiding to a still dangerous 75 miles (130 kilometers) per hour, AFP reported. "The combination of a dangerous storm surge, the tide, and large and destructive waves will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline," the NHC said. The Matthew appeared to be diminishing after hitting the southern coast of South Carolina after causing power outages in Florida and claiming at least four lives. In Florida, 775,000 were without power, according to state utilities, while in South Carolina 433,000 had no power, Governor Nikki Haley said, Reuters reported. Florida governor Rick Scott told Reuters that more than 6,000 people stayed in shelters on Friday night. "We're all blessed that Matthew stayed off our coast," he said, though he also described extensive flooding, damaged roads, downed trees and homes without electricity. He predicted most people would have power back by Sunday evening. "The weather experts have described Matthew as a once in a 100-year type of storm," said Mayor Lenny Curry in Jacksonville, Florida. Matthew triggered mass evacuations and cities were under curfew as the storm accelerated along the US coast from Florida through Georgia and into South Carolina and North Carolina. Cities including Savannah and Charleston in South Carolina were under dusk-to-dawn curfews to keep people off the streets and guard against looting. Streets in Charleston were flooding up to the top of the tires. However, the officials did not report any deaths, injuries or significant structural damage. President Barack Obama has declared federal states of emergency in Florida, Georgia, and North and South Carolina. A US Navy ship transport dock ship was en route to Haiti to support relief efforts. The US government was also airlifting in blankets, hygiene kits, kitchen sets and plastic sheeting for emergency shelters, a statement by the United States Agency for International Development said. The storm caused major flooding and left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean coast. Tens of thousands were left homeless in Haiti earlier this week before it skirted Florida's Atlantic coast on Friday. (WION with inputs from agencies)

Hurricane Matthew downgraded to Category 1 storm as it hits southeastern US coast

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Scientists may finally know why dead grey whales are washing up on US Coast

Hurricane warning issued as Hanna approaches US coast

Tropical Storm Bertha makes landfall along Southeast US coast

Hurricane Matthew downgraded to Category 1 storm as it hits southeastern US coast