A team of international scientists discovered a long-standing error in ocean temperature measurements, indicating that the world's seas are warming and rising at a faster rate than previously thought. By analyzing millions of ship-based measurements dating back to 1950, with a focus on data from 1960, the team identified a mistake in data collected from a common probe known as an XBT. By correcting this error and applying a sophisticated statistical analysis to sea temperature data, the team was able to provide a more accurate estimate of global ocean warming and sea level rise. According to team member Catia Domingues, the rate of ocean warming from 1961 to 2003 is approximately 50 percent higher than previously reported. Co-author John Church had been skeptical of historical data for some time, as it did not align with results from climate and ocean models. Church, a senior research scientist at the climate center, mentioned that after realigning the observations, the models now align much better with the data. By comparing XBT observations with research ship data, scientists can estimate the errors associated with XBTs. This is crucial because the oceans store over 90 percent of the planet's heat and can help mitigate the effects of climate change. Warmer water expands, leading to rising sea levels, along with run-off from melting glaciers and ice sheets. Church's team estimated a global average surface warming of 0.4 degrees Celsius between 1961 and 2003, with seas rising 1.6 millimeters annually during this time period, he added. Since 1993, sea levels have been rising at a rate of more than 3 mm per year due to increased consumption of fossil fuels by the world. XBTs, which were once commonly used by commercial vessels to measure temperatures as they sank into the ocean, have now been mostly replaced by satellites and permanent probes. The disposable XBTs were thrown overboard with a wire attached, but inaccuracies in calculating their descent could lead to errors in depth and temperature readings. To address this issue, Susan Wijffels and her colleagues developed a mathematical formula to correct the errors. This, along with a more comprehensive statistical analysis of global ocean temperature data, provided a clearer understanding that aligned closely with commonly used computer models predicting the behavior of the climate and oceans due to global warming. According to Church, the findings show a consistent warming trend and an increase in that warming, which enhances confidence in the accuracy of future projections. Additionally, observations suggest that actual sea level rise is in line with the higher end of projected estimates. The U.N. Climate Panel's recent assessment projected a potential sea level rise of up to 80 cm by the end of the century if carbon dioxide levels are not controlled.