4 ms·

These ocean-surface temperatures concern the top few millimeters of the ocean. The thermal mass in question is far far lower than the ocean itself.

• pvaldes 3y ago
  > only the top few millimeters This is not how we measure ocean surface temperatures. The researching cube is sink entirely. Two m deep is still surface.
  • George83728 3y ago
    Apparently the meaning of 'surface' depends on the article. From wikipedia " The exact meaning of surface varies according to the measurement method used, but it is between 1 millimetre (0.04 in) and 20 metres (70 ft) below the sea surface." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_surface_temperature https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_surface_temperature My understanding of this came from an article Karina Von Schuckmann, for which I can't find the PDF right now, which said they were measuring the top few millimeters.
    • pvaldes 3y ago
      One thing is the definition of the surface layer of water (0 to -20m correct) and other how to measure its temperature. If you use a floating thermometer the sun-rays are probably warming it or the winds are cooling it, so you are including an error in your sample. The results are higher or lower water temperatures than the real ones. It is assumed that the water layer mix uniformly in the first meters by wave forces and wind so we can measure surface at 10m perfectly